Irish in America

As the Irish journeyed to America in the 19th-century their lives changed. They gave up their tradition of farming despite the vast tracks of cheap land available. Though farming seemed like a natural profession for the Irish, they were unaccustomed to the large amount of land that comprised many farms. Additionally, the Irish often objected to the American way of farming and the loneliness of American farms. In Ireland, the immigrants were used to close relations with their neighbours, whereas in America they lived miles away from their closest neighbour, mainly due to the sheer size of the farms. Also making things very difficult, the Irish often lacked the money that was necessary to buy land and tools. There were also problems obtaining money to sustain farmers up until their first harvest.

      As a result, it became easier for the exhausted Irish immigrants to crowd into the cities on the eastern coast of America, especially the ghettos of New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Boston. Even though they had lived under what seemed to be the worst conditions in Ireland, America oftentimes presented even worse situations for the Irish. Many were forced to live in the alleys, courts and cellars of the slum areas, perfect areas for disease to ravage the unfortunate souls dwelling there. The Irish communities introduced many diseases to the cities, and as a result, their average length of life became considerably shortened. The unfortunate conditions of the Irish were something that a visitor would rather forget, but instead the image was often imprinted in a passerby's memories: huddled, dirty masses without any of the normal comforts that human beings usually enjoyed.
      Most of the Irish that ventured to America were poor and had few skills. However, there were also those who came that were educated and skilled within a chosen occupation. These selected few often separated from the poor and came to achieve successful careers. Also, political refugees from the 1848 Irish rebellion became famous. In addition, many Irish became successful policemen (hence the term paddy wagon).
      Still most were struck by poverty and had neither education nor experience in any profession. Consequently, the Irish were only able to achieve the lowest paying jobs. To make things worse, prejudice (resulting from religious bigotry or the refusal of other employees to work beside the Irish) oftentimes made even the most menial jobs unobtainable for an Irishman. By 1850, many Irish had become servants.
      Also by 1850, railroad work became common among the Irish as it guaranteed some sort of pay for the workers. However, the required work and the resulting pay was often changed once the Irish had journeyed to the building sites. It was impossible for them to return without getting paid. Life for these workers - and for their wives that were left behind - was often hard. The workers lived in disgusting construction camps, and many took their own lives in such camps or even beside the railroad tracks. The hard work they performed was littered with dangers and there was no protection from accidents. The fears of the Irish and their endless hardships often resulted in drunkenness and unruly behaviour. Crimes, although not serious felonies, became more and more common. The Irish soon occupied many prisons across the country, resulting in an even stronger anti-Irish sentiment among many Americans.
      The Catholic beliefs held by most Irish immigrants were very important aspects of the immigrants' lives. They used whatever means necessary to uphold their faith, despite the resistance they were frequently faced with. Their religion was what brought them together and gave them security. Consequently, as they arrived in the United States the Irish began to build churches with the little money they possessed. However, the hostility these churches faced reached unbelievable heights. Many Americans, fearing that Catholicism threatened the American government and the very basis of American ideas, burned down these places of worship and killed many Catholics. Their misconceptions of the Christian sect, at least to the anti-Jesuits, justified their prejudices and actions. American fears also increased as the request for schools without Protestant influence rose. Since the Irish distrusted the established institutions, which used the Protestant Bible in their education, many Catholic schools were founded. Protestant fears once more became strong in the 1880s, because of the widening strength of the Catholics. The anti-Irish feelings of the 1840s once again became dominant and resulted in an attempt to reduce the Irish domination of politics. The attempt was largely unsuccessful, but the feelings of hatred lived long in the hearts of the Americans.

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References
1 Maldwyn A. Jones "Chapter 4 - Flight from Hunger" Destination America . London - UK, Thames Television Limited 1976. p. 67-91



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