The Influence Of Irish Immigration In The United States?

The United States of America has been considered as a place of hope, freedom and prosperity ever since its independence from the British Union to the present day. So is to say, that from its early settlements, this country became the dream of many foreigners in order to live a new life full of opportunities. Particularly, the famous Statue of Liberty inspired numerous newcomers to settle down in America due to its symbolism of freedom, welcoming immigrants from abroad. A group in particular had an important participation in the immigration to the United States during the period of the industrial revolution, the Irish. Although this group’s emigration intensified during that period, their presence in the United States dates from the 17th century and earlier. Several conditions drove the Irish to leave their homes with the interest of pursuing a better life. The Irish began to leave their country after the Great Potato Famine, which caused massive starvation and diseases among the people in Ireland (Quigley). Consequently, the Irish population decreased about 20-25% due to mortality from hunger and immigration. These people accused the Great British Union for all the disgrace and abandonment, creating big resentment against them and their political influence over them. Since then, more than 4 million Irishmen have arrived to the American cities such as Boston, Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. Taking into account the vast amount of Irish incomers, it is important to note the influence held by them. Hence, how did the Irish immigrants affect the American culture during the 19th century? The Irish emigrants impacted the American society in sociocultural, political, and economical aspects over the time after their arrival. At firs...

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...ted and discriminated by the intense racism from the Americans. However, as time went by, they began to tolerate the Irish, giving them the chance to contribute immensely in the political, economical and cultural scopes. Irishmen impacted the American nation in both negative and positive ways. With this in mind, negative in the sense that racism increased, not because of them, but for the intolerance during that period of time. Still, the Irish-Americans were a more of beneficial contribution to the American society due to all the cultural, political and economical enrichment such as new traditions, inventions and improvements with international affairs. The Irishmen marked the American nation not only by the million of descendants in the society, but also because they helped them to open their minds and accept new cultures and take the best out of them, even more.