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Urban Problems
The Kensington (Philadelphia) Riot of 1844
The opponents to the new immigrants of
Philadelphia were for 2 reasons: alcohol and
church influence.
Felt that Americas political freedom would be
broached due to drinking too much alcohol in
the taverns and the impact of the Catholic
priest in immigrant society.
Alcohol
Believed they were being oppressed.
It was their right to associate themselves with
whomever they wanted.
What about freedom of religion and freedom of
association?
Opposed to forcing Catholic children to read
the King James Bible (KJV).
The Immigrant Response
Hugh Clark
The Protestants felt that Hugh Clark and the
Catholics were attacking Protestantism.
America was founded as a Protestant Country
The Pilgrims came to America to escape
religious persecution.
The charge from American Republican leaders
was that Clark kicked The Bible out of the
classroom.
Hugh Clark
Decided to hold a rally on May 3, 1844 in the
heart of the Irish immigrant(Kensington)
neighborhood. Not a good idea.
Due to the failure of the first rally, a second one
was scheduled on May 6 which drew 3,000
people.
Rain forced the rally to Nanny Goat Market
which proved to be the wrong move.
The American
Republicans Rally
The Kensington Riot
Nanny goat market was the
hub of the Irish immigrant
community.
The Republicans tried to
continue their rally but
were opposed by the Irish.
A pistol was produced,
pushing and shoving
occurred, shots were fired
and all hell broke loose.
George Shiffler, a
Republican was shot and
killed and became a martyr
for the Republicans.
The Call To Arms
Fighting continued through the night of May
6
th
until the sheriff arrived to quell the violence.
Republicans had come to Kensington and
destroyed many Irish houses.
A meeting was held behind Independence Hall
were the Republicans decided to go back to
Kensington. They were met with fire and
several died but decided not to confront the
Irish with gunfire .
The Republicans decided to burn the Irish
homes where the gunfire came from.
Irish immigrants fled from their homes in
Kensington and went to either other family
homes or into the woods.
The rioters burned Hugh Clarks home, St.
Michaels & St. Augustine Roman Catholic
Churches.
The volunteer firefighters who opposed the
Irish did not attempt to put out the fires of
these structures.
The Call To Arms
The Burning of Irish
Properties
Martial Law was imposed in Philadelphia for a
week.
6 were killed during the riot. This was the
exception during Pre-Civil War Riots.
The Republicans showed restraint in their
rampage through Kensington. They only
targeted those houses where gunfire came
from, Hugh and Patrick Clark homes and
supporters of the Irish shooters.
Results of the Riot
Citizens did not want to pay for police
protection yet .
Was not until the 1850s in what we would
recognize today as a police force emerge .
By 1860 school attendance was mandatory in
the North. The religious opponents turned
away from this violence and concentrated on
politics.
The Temperance Mvmt focused on getting rid
of alcohol and there were less of these types of
riots.
Did the Riot Change
America?
All Photos are courtesy of Philaplace.org
Bibliography