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Irish Immigration around the Civil War and the impact of the migration to Savannah GA

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Introduction

America is the leading country as far as racial and cultural diversity is concerned. A
huge percentage of the American population consists of people with genetic routes that point out
to other nations. Today, America has come to terms with its past, a factor that has enhanced
harmonious living among people of different races and cultural backgrounds. Immigration forms
the better part of America in that most states were affected culturally or politically by immigrants
who migrated into the Americas during various stages of American history. The Irish emigration
story is one of a kind since its impact on the state of Georgia can be felt up to today, especially in
the city of savannah. Like other emigrants, the Irish people had their share of influences that
made them leave their ancestral land and decide to settle in Georgia. The civil war is one of the
decisive moments in American history in that it represents one of the times when American unity
was put to the test. The Irish emigrants have their share of turmoil during the civil war, which
this research will light. This research will present a clear analysis of the Irish migration into
Georgia, the impact of the mass movement, and how the Irish emigrants have affected the
cultural practices of the city of Savannah in Georgia during the civil war and after.

Data for this research is majorly from the achieves with sources like JSTOR, providing
me with access to various books and academic journals that have made this research complete.
Through combining data from the various sources, this research will provide a chronological
outlay of the emigration and how the civil war affected the Irish immigrants. Different emigrants
were handled differently in America. American history does not give accounts about all
emigrants; however, topics like democracy, slavery, and voting were major discussions that
made emigration issues be discussed and solved.

Background of the Irish immigration

Irish immigration into America started to gain grove in the middle 19th century. Due to the
economic hardships the Irish people were undergoing in their home country in that period, a
general need to look for purported greener pastures awakened the need to migrate into America.
Issues like devastating fungus that attacked potatoes ruined the economy of the Irish people.
Potatoes were the staple food of Irish people. Therefore the fungus exposed most of the Irish
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population to starvation. This issue made it crucial for them to vacate the hunger-stricken nation
and look for a more economically accommodative nation. Despite the scholarly disagreement on
the estimated number of people who died of hunger during the genesis of the Irish migration, it is
critical to note that a considerable number of the Irish population. By the 1850s, the potato
famine had ended; however, its considerable effects triggered the mass exodus of Irish emigrants
to the American states.

Accessibility of America by the sea made it easier for the migration to take place as the
Irish people would look for money needed and get tickets for the journey that promised better
life and freedom in America. At the time, America had more jobs; hence, most Irish families
would consider taking at least one of their family members to America to reduce the economic
burden in the country and increase the chances of one of their own having a better life in the new
colonies. Despite their economic turmoil, migrating to America did not guarantee acceptance and
harmonious living, as shown in this research. The desperation for better jobs and a better life
made Irish immigrants more resilient and persistent in that most of them opted to have tough
beginnings in the states rather than facing extinction and starvation in their homeland.

It is crucial to note that economic problems have been considered as the major causes of
immigration; from this point of view, it is easier to get to the social and political influence of the
Irish people and how they were treated in America, and how they created routes in Georgia. This
issue has shaped their history and culture to date.

THE CHALLENGES THAT IRISH IMMIGRANTS FACED

Irish immigrants faced both social and cultural challenges once they landed in the states.
In general, there was an attitude towards Irish emigrants in that most of them were considered
poor and other American communities were against them due to the fear of raising the
dependency ratio in America. Due to their financial struggles caused by the economic
difficulties in the motherland, the Irish emigrants were forced to undergo huge paper works in
the embassy where they were scrutinized about diseases and their financial capabilities, an issue
which aimed to lock those who were poor out of America.

It was almost impossible for Irish people to migrate into America if they had not shown
in their paperwork that they were financially stable and had established a social circle like
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friends and relatives in the states. Social seclusion made a background for the establishment of
the culture of the Irish people in America. As seen in savannah, Georgia today, Irish people
embraced the culture that they had come within America, and the social seclusion that they
received from other races made them stay strategically in groups. Tight-knit Irish communities
were created in America, and the state of Georgia was not left behind; the social discrimination
never broke the spirit of the Irish emigrants but rather strengthened them as a community by
enhancing their unity and harmony(Lee & Casey, 2006). Most Irish immigrants preferred to live
in communities and form communities around their fellow countrymen to escape the segregation
and the social attitude against them.

After establishing a good social network in the Americas, Irish emigrants began to flood
in the country, an issue that irritated the majority of communities of the time. Most Irish
emigrants took a huge share of the jobs due to their low labor cost and flexibility. The Irish
communities came with strong Catholicism beliefs, which were hated by the protestant majority.
Mob resulting from the religious differences further increased the rift in the American society of
the time. The racial imbalance increased as the majority of English emigrants were being
outdone by the Irish emigrants. Every emigrant community was fighting for control, recognition,
and influences, an issue that affected the racial balance of the United States at the time.

This research also found out that the Irish immigrants left rural lifestyles and transitioned
to an urbanized nation, an issue that shocked the Irish immigrants. The demanding lifestyle of
the American urban centers made it difficult for the new immigrants to survive. Most of the
American natives recognized the desperation of the Irish people and took advantage by giving
them less-paying jobs which were more demanding. Most of the Irish emigrants had no money
beyond their fare for the passage, and therefore after the passage, most of them were crowded in
slams, and others became homeless. With the issue of capitalism rising in the united states, the
Irish immigrants faced a tough time keeping up with the demanding urban life.

Irish people were systematically discriminated against in that the American social
systems did not favor the immigrants. With every challenge, there is an opportunity. Due to the
lack of support from the natives, most Irish immigrants survived by working closely with each
other, a trait they have maintained. Till today the Irish immigration created a pattern of lifestyle.
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Most of them have proper connections with their keens back home and have a proper support
system that helps them survive.

The lack of proper sewerage and cleaning systems in the areas inhabited by Irish
immigrants made their living conditions improper for human life. Diseases sprout out, including
tuberculosis, cholera, and mental illness. Other communities in the United States stated blaming
the Irish communities for spreading diseases, further increasing their discrimination. The fact
that Irish labor was cheaply available was also a point of discrimination. Most of the mob
demonstrations that involved the burning of churches displayed the intolerance of the American
natives towards the Irish immigrants. Most Native Americans considered Irish immigrants as
aliens aiming to attack job spaces and spread undesirable culture.

The systematic discrimination on security, social services, and political involvement

made the immigrants feel inferior compared to other communities, an issue that further made the
immigrants vulnerable. The lack of proper government legislation on immigrants during and
after the civil war also gave other communities loopholes to discriminate against the Irish
immigrants.

Irish immigrants in savannah Georgia during the civil war

The culture of living in communities made Georgia have a huge number of Irish people,
reflecting the country’s population. The Irish immigrants formed the backbone of their culture
today in that issues like a strong belief in Catholicism and the raising of statues(Gleeson &
Buttimer, 2005).

Before the civil war, Savannah was the most organized city, and the cash that came with
cotton created a lavish lifestyle for the residents. The civil war changed the story of savannah
and Irish emigrants in general in that; there was great suffering and economic hardship that came
with the war. Sea blockages which were so strict, crumbled the economy to the core. The Irish
emigrants had to survive under harder economic conditions during the war. The sea blockages
also meant that new emigrants could not land from the sea, and therefore the country switched
into survival mode. Savannah was spared from destruction during the civil war by General
William Tecumseh Sherman, who was so impressed by the cities beauty to the extent of offering
it as a Christmas gift to President Abraham Lincoln(Lockley, 2011).
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The Irish immigrants had mixed reactions towards the civil war. Most of the recent
immigrants joined the Union forces during the civil war. Various reasons attracted the Irish
emigrants to the union force, one being loyalty to their new homes and the second being a way to
display patriotism in the hope of better treatment. The Irish participation in the civil war further
improved the conversation and increased their relevance in the United States since the Irish
brigade played a huge role in helping the union forces gain ground. The urge for the Irish people
to have a state where they could dominate and fully practice their culture made can be highly
accrued to the high domination of Irish decently in Savannah. The war played a pivotal role in
establishing the importance of Irish immigrants to the American people in that the call for
volunteers by Abraham Lincoln acted as an opportunity for the Irish emigrants to seal their
patriotism to their new land.

Racial tensions during the civil war also targeted Irish immigrants, and the draft riots
were also related to the Irish question and their role in the war(Ward, 1968). Despite being
discriminated the Irish communities were resilient and determined to fight through the tough
times. Most of the Irish women who were left in homes as men went for the war also volunteered
in organizations that offered child support to those orphaned by the war.

Impact of the Irish migration to savannah

Savannah is one of the cities that have become a reminder of the Irish migration and its
impact on the American people. The cultural impact of the Irish communities cannot be ignored.
Today savannah is known for having the second-largest St-Patrick day. The saint Patrick day
celebrations in Savannah depict the religious impact of the Irish communities on American
society. The arrangement of communities in Savannah still resembles the settlements of the
immigrants. Census done in 2010 in Georgia shows that savannah leads with the largest number
of people who claim ancestry to Ireland, an issue that reflects the matters discussed.

Most of the savannah cities and parks are named after Irish patriots, for example, the
Emmet Park, named after an Irish patriot Robert Emmet.

Conclusion
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It takes time for a country to grow to the point of having absolute democracy. America
enjoys diversity today; however, before reaching this point, many challenges have arisen on the
way, some of which almost broke the country apart. The Irish immigration story creates a clear
picture of how and why it is crucial to be tolerant of minority groups in that every member of the
American community has a role to play in making America great. Diversity is a crucial aspect
of every country, and it takes strong institutions to uphold diversity and help it thrive. The Irish
history also gives a deeper understanding of the civil war by enlightening historians on the
variables that impacted the war results. Growth is inevitable, and the history of Irish immigrants
is a clear indication of growth in that the American communities moved from having attitudes
against the Irish immigrants to a point where now they both peacefully coexist.
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References
Crowley, J., Smyth, W. J., & Murphy, M. (2013). Atlas of the great Irish famine, 1845-52. Cork,
Ireland: Cork University Press, Printed In Italy.
Gleeson, D. T., & Buttimer, B. J. (2005). “We are Irish Everywhere”: Irish Immigrant Networks
in Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia. Immigrants & Minorities, 23(2-3),
183–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619280500188237
Lee, J., & Casey, M. R. (2006). Making the Irish American: history and heritage of the Irish in
the United States. New York: New York University Press.
Lockley, T. (2011). Saving Savannah: The City and the Civil War. Journal of American History,
97(4), 1128–1128. https://doi.org/10.1093/jahist/jaq023
Ward, A. J. (1968). America and the Irish problem, 1899–1921. Irish Historical Studies, 16(61),
64–90. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0021121400021714