With the vast numbers of German and Irish coming to America, hostility to them erupted. Part of the reason for the opposition was religious. All of the Irish and many of the Germans were Roman Catholic. Part of the opposition was political. Most immigrants living in cities became Democrats because the party focused on the needs of commoners. Part of the opposition occurred because Americans in low-paying jobs were threatened and sometimes replaced by groups willing to work for almost nothing in order to survive. Signs that read "NO IRISH NEED APPLY" sprang up throughout the country.

Question

With the vast numbers of German and Irish coming to America, hostility to them erupted. Part of the reason for the opposition was religious. All of the Irish and many of the Germans were Roman Catholic. Part of the opposition was political. Most immigrants living in cities became Democrats because the party focused on the needs of commoners. Part of the opposition occurred because Americans in low-paying jobs were threatened and sometimes replaced by groups willing to work for almost nothing in order to survive. Signs that read "NO IRISH NEED APPLY" sprang up throughout the country.

Ethnic and ANTI-CATHOLIC RIOTING occurred in many northern cities, the largest occurring in Philadelphia in 1844 during a period of economic depression. Protestants, Catholics and local militia fought in the streets. 16 were killed, dozens were injured and over 40 buildings were demolished. "NATIVIST" political parties sprang up almost overnight. The most influential of these parties, the KNOW NOTHINGS, was anti-Catholic and wanted to extend the amount of time it took immigrants to become citizens and voters. They also wanted to prevent foreign-born people from ever holding public office. Economic recovery after the 1844 depression reduced the number of serious confrontations for a time, as the country seemed to be able to use all the labor it could get.

1. Why did the Potato Famine have such a devastating effect on the Irish population?

2. How many Irish left Ireland because of the Potato Famine?

3. What kinds of jobs did most Irish immigrants find when they arrived in the U.S.?

4. Why were so many Irish immigrants disliked by Americans? (2 reasons)

Answer 1

1. The Potato Famine had such a devastating effect on the Irish population because the potato was the primary food source for the majority of the population. The widespread failure of the potato crop due to a disease called the late blight led to extreme hunger, starvation, and death, leaving a significant portion of the population destitute.

2. The text does not provide an exact number of Irish who left Ireland because of the Potato Famine. However, millions were affected by the crisis, and a significant portion of them emigrated to other countries, including the United States.

3. Most Irish immigrants found low-paying, unskilled jobs when they arrived in the U.S, often as laborers on railroads, as domestic servants, or working in factories.

4. Irish immigrants were disliked by Americans for a couple of reasons: a) they were Roman Catholic, resulting in religious opposition, and b) they were willing to work for low pay, which threatened the job security of Americans in low-paying positions.