Immigration and Discrimination
Immigration

It began in 1845 when acre upon acre of Irish farmland ended in black rot. In the next seven years over 1 million Irish would immigrate to the United States. Wave after wave of them came in what came to be called "coffin ships".

"Already weak from hunger, these unfortunate souls were packed into overcrowded, squalid ships for the voyage across the Atlantic. The close quarters, unsanitary conditions, poor food, and weakened state of the emigrants created the ideal conditions for the propagation of typhus, an infectious disease caused by fleas and lice."

"The decision to leave Ireland was only the beginning of a long and difficult journey. Once aboard the ship that would bring them to America (a 2-3 month trip), the emigrating Irish found almost intolerable conditions. The steerage compartments were about five feet high with two tiers of beds. Men, women and children (sometimes as many as 900 people) were crowded together with room only for themselves and their belongings rolled up next to them. A narrow cot was provided for each person but often it was not even wide enough to turn over. Beds and bedding were not aired out or washed until the day before arrival and inspection by government officials. The only air and light available was through a hatchway, which was closed during stormy or rough weather. The air became increasingly filthy and foul as the journey progressed. Food was often insufficient and not cooked properly. Grain, hardened and served as a lump, was common. Clean water was also insufficient for the needs of the steerage passengers. Toilets were inadequate for the number of people aboard, and stench permeated the air."

Sometimes these ships would arrive in port with less then half of their original passenger list. Even so, the ships represented hope, for in Ireland the Famine was so severe that entire families would eat the last of their food then board up their doors and windows so that no one passing by would be subjected to the sight of their dying. To stay was sure death. To go was a risk but there was hope at the end of the voyage if it were survived.

For more information about Irish Immigration  and the plight of these people in getting here please go to this site:
http://www.cam.org/~qfhs/Conn_Art3.html

Discrimination

The two main ports of entry into the United States were New York and Boston. Once there the vast majority remained in the port city where they landed, mainly because they had little money to travel any further. It strained the resources of those two main cities to have such a large influx of immigrants and caused mounting discrimination. Housing was limited and, according to census records of the period,  as many as nine people would be sharing one room. Competition for employment with the existing population was fierce and employment discrimination against the Irish became common.

As a result it became acceptable to discriminate against the Irish and newspapers depicted them as lazy, stupid and dirty. Newspapers ads for employment would end with "No Irish need apply." and restaurants and hotels would display signs saying "No Irish permitted in this establishment."

"In 1851-1852, railroad contractors in New York advertised for workers and promised good pay. When mostly Irish applied, the pay was lowered to fifty-five cents a day. When the workers protested, the militia was called in to force the men to accept."

Many of the Irish reacted to the discrimination by deliberately getting rid of their accents, changing their names and even abandoning Catholicism. Others left to go work on the railroads, canals and in the mines where jobs were to be had but where they were also discriminated against and forced to work for lower wages and in harsher conditions then other workers were expected to accept.

Conclusion

"The departure of  the Irish from  their stricken land was a mass migration on an epic scale, and in the villages and towns of Ireland a way of life, a communal culture, and an ancient language  were wiped out. At the same time, the arrival of the Famine Irish in America transformed the young republic so profoundly that the flight of the hungry from Ireland became a milepost in U.S. history. The Famine Irish immigrants were the original huddled masses. They came not with dreams and plans, but with the modest goal of staying alive."

For a more in depth look at Irish Immgration to America, please visit this website.

The Irish American Historical Society