4.

3 Making of America
Immigration

The Irish famine migration

The potato or blight

Was Irelands main source of food
Was given to them by England
Easy to grow

Moving west
Once the potato famine hit the
people of Ireland began to starve to
death
This forced survivors to move west
The Irish were unwanted in America
Largely lived in cities off the east
coast
no Irish need not apply
Politicians for the Irish vote

Political machines
organization in which
an authoritative boss or
small group commands
the support of a corps
of supporters and
businesses (usually
campaign workers),
who receive rewards for
their efforts.
Immigrant voter based
Corrupt
Increased voter turn out

Tammany Hall
Democratic political machine New
York 1854-1932
Irish immigrant voter base
Offered Irish immigrants jobs and a
place to stay in exchange for their
vote
This helped the Irish gain power