America Meets Ireland

Paper Summary:

This paper, written in the first person narrative form, describes what it was like for an Irish immigrant to the United States in 1847. The paper specifically focuses on the discrimination that was aimed at Irish immigrants, specifically with regard to employment opportunities. It then briefly compares the Irish situation to Blacks who lived in America at the time.

From the Paper:

"The blacks were our only competition. We were among the two predominant non-American groups of people living in America now. We were alike but forced to compete for jobs. Not until the Conscription Act went into effect in 1863 did things start to change. White, being Irish came along with being white, men were forced to be part of the draft, pretty much being forced to fight in war. Free blacks were exempt from this act but that didn't mean they couldn't be forced into war as well. This caused many more riots and blacks were being targeted. Racial tensions increased greatly."
"Between the religious and racial strain to the hardships trying to find work and sanitary living conditions, we stuck together. Some called us the most "Americanized Americans". We loved our new country and we were determined to make it work. Some may think we fought to hard, but it was a struggle worth fighting. Now, some 25 years later, I see our perseverance proved to be victorious. Conditions have drastically changed, but we are still continuing our fight down the long road of equality and acceptance."

Sample of Sources Used:

• US Library of Congress (2007, May). Irish-Catholic Immigration to America. http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/irish6.html retrieved September 15, 2007
• Unknown author. http://www.kinsella.org/history/histira.htm. Retrieved September 15th, 2007.

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