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Chapter 14 - Question 4
Why go to America?
Ireland, under the rule of England, was mostly farmland The Irish were solely dependent on the potato crop for food, but mostly trade. During the mid 1840s, a terrible rot attacked the plant
disease hit and the potato was struck 1/4 of the people were swept away by disease and hunger from the lack of starved bodies were found dead with grass in mouth
American Treatment
The Irish ended up residing near port cities like Boston and New York
lack of money prevented from traveling west ended up becoming largest Irish holders in the World
They were illiterate, discriminated against by older Americans, and received lowest-paying jobs
Hated by protestants, because they were Catholics Factory workers hated the Irish because they were taking their jobs
Irish hated Blacks for the same reason... felt like there was no way they could be even mentioned in the same sentence as black people
Reputation Boost
The Ancient Order of Hibernians was established to aid the Irish.
Union created to protect the rights of the Irish Led to other workers Unions like Molly Maguires - 1860s 1870s
Gradual property ownership came about, and their children earned education.
Families sometimes pulled kids from schools to save money for land Property ownership counted as a grand success
The Irish were attracted to politics, and often filled police departments as officers.
soon took control of major cities by representing city councils and dominating city police departments