Irish Americans

Irish Americans immigrated to the United States in large numbers back in the 1800's due to British rule in Ireland and the Irish potato famine that struck Ireland very hard that killed thousands due to starvation. They packed boats by the hundreds to get to the United States were they could get food and start a new life in the free world. They were of course not welcomed as they may have thought they would have been. They found themselves living in some of the worst neighborhoods and in some of the most dreadful conditions. The citizens of America which looked at themselves as true natives of the United States looked down on the Irish as basically dogs. The Irish are viewed as the United States first immigration problem. A group called the Know-Nothings tried and failed to get them deported and change the laws to make there lives harder. The Irish manly settled around urban areas mostly because of economic opportunities and support they received from other established Irish communities in those areas already. The Irish played huge roll in shaping America because of there large numbers in America. The Irish played a political and non political roles in America that help build the country. They gained employment as police, fire fighters, teachers, construction workers and many other service jobs. The Irish also played a huge roll in fighting the Civil War on both sides but didn't support freeing the slaves because they felt that they would come in and take there jobs and neighborhoods. While the Irish were facing the prejudice, segregation and racism from the natives of America the Irish also did the same with blacks but in most cases the Natives looked down on the Irish more than the blacks.

Many Irish were drafted into the Union army and others joined to gain the skills that they one day could use or teach to those back in Ireland. British and Ireland still to this day have a unspoken hate or disagreement of the way the British have ruled over Ireland. It showed itself back in WWI when most Irish supported the Germans against the British. It caused a large void between the Irish Americans and other Americans. Once WWII came around the Irish had another chance to prove themselves as Americans. The Irish made large improvements during this time and help shape the growth of the country and there were plenty of jobs from it. Threw the years many Irish were also emigration back to Ireland but not as many were going back once Franklin D Roosevelt became the President and the Large support from the Irish helped put him there. Many jobs came up during this time and the Irish moved up the social ladder to secure more and more power in local areas. As 1921 came up Ireland had more Independence which allowed the Irish Americans to focus more on there new home here in America. Once they started focusing on there new home they were able to shape Americas Politics towards there favor and gain more ground in American. I believe