During the 19th century, millions of Irish men and women immigrated to the United States in hope for a new and improved lifestyle. Reasons for their immigration include the famines that struck Ireland, political disturbance, such as the mistreatment from the British, and the desire for a new opportunity. Expecting an easier and better life in America, their views changed quickly as they arrived to their new homeland, as living conditions were unbearable, and the amount of work and labor they were put through made it seem like they were slaves.
[...] The Irish began to dominate in the area of high- wage and skilled jobs. It is true many Irish immigrants had trouble in adapting to the American culture, some even trying to separate themselves from Irish culture completely. For them, the ocean was a psychological border, protecting them from hidden injuries and bitter memories. Many immigrants wanted to focus on their future and America as their new homeland. have too many loved ones in the Cemetery here to leave an immigrant wrote to her brother in Ireland. [...]
[...] Families were sick and weak from a lack of food, and with the slums having almost 9 people in a room at once, things became very hectic. Women started to have a major role in this society, mostly due to the domestic work needed in the urban life. In the post-famine years, more women began to migrate from Ireland than men. Their place in Ireland was worsened due to the cottage industry declining, and their economic contribution was slim, which is the main reason they migrated to America (Daniels 141). [...]
[...] The journey took about two to three months, in which the Irish were crowded into a room of hundreds of people in which you only had room for yourself and your belongings (Yale- New Haven Teachers Institute). Everything was unsanitary and dirty, with hardly any light or air. One of the major reasons of death on the journey was disease, in which the Irish people were most susceptible to. The total number of people that had emigrated was about a quarter of the population. [...]
[...] The daughters of these Irish women did not continue in the footsteps of their mothers, but continued on to work in high ranking jobs since they were better educated. It was a large advancement for the Irish, especially after all the discrimination and labor they had gone through. These girls took on jobs such as secretaries, nurses, and teachers, while men began to take on jobs as policemen and firemen. Irish Americans began to attend college in greater numbers, some even entering Harvard University (Takaki 161). [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
