The Potato Famine

Objectives:  To examine the growth of mid 19 th century Irish and German immigration.

 In the 1840’s and 1850’s, about 4 million immigrants arrived in the U.S.

German Immigrants  German immigrants came to the U.S. to escape war and to better their lives.  Those with money bought farms in the Midwest.

Why did the Irish emigrate to America?

 A. Protestants forced them to leave Ireland  B. A fungus wiped out the potato crop leaving nothing to eat  C. They were fleeing disease Fact: The Potato Famine killed over one million people in Ireland in seven years!

What was wrong with the potatoes?  An airborne fungus destroyed both the leaves & potatoes  It might have come from ships from North America! Fact : there was enough grain grown in Ireland to feed those starving, but most was sold to the British & exported!

What areas were affected by the Famine?

What were the ships that carried Irish immigrants called?  A. Ghost Ships  B. Famine Ships  C. Coffin Ships

The Voyage to America  Most Famine Irish immigrants were forced to leave Ireland  Many traveled in “Coffin Ships”  The first Coffin Ships headed for Quebec, Canada  Thousands of immigrants died on the 3,000 mile journey…

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Grosse Isle  Ships were supposed to be inspected for disease upon arrival  Any sick passengers were brought here  Doctors were overwhelmed!  Bodies were dumped into the St. Lawrence River

 Those who made it through inspection were given free passage to Montreal & other cities  Landlord promises of money waiting never materialized…

Effects of Immigration  Immigrants took available jobs in factories and mines, and railroads helping the economy.

Growth of Nativist Movement  Nativists tried to limit immigration, blaming immigrants for “stealing” jobs from native-born Americans and for being criminals. New York Times Ad 1854

Know Nothing Party  In the 1850’s, nativists formed the Know- Nothing Party. A cartoon from the 1850s by the "Know-Nothings" accusing the Irish and German immigrants of negatively affecting an election.

Anti-Catholic Discrimination  Immigrants were also discriminated against for being Catholics. An Irish thug and a Catholic priest carve up the Democratic Party goose that laid the golden eggs.

showing bishops as crocodiles attacking public schools, with the help of Irish Catholic politicians. Thomas Nast Cartoon

depicted Irish immigrants as ape-like barbarians prone to lawlessness, laziness and drunkenness. Thomas Nast Cartoon

Where did many Irish immigrants land? a. Grosse Isle, Quebec, Canada b. Ogdensburg, New York c. Plattsburgh, New York

How long did the trip take?  A. 40 days  B. 60 days  C. 90 days Fact: It could take as little as 40 days or as long as 90 days depending on the weather and skill of the captain.

What percentage died from disease or malnutrition?  A. 5%  B. 15%  C. 20% Fact: Over 5,000 died at Grosse Isle in 1847 alone!

How many Irish came to New York City during the Famine?  A. 250,000  B. 400,000  C. 650,000 Fact: 90% who came to New York City stayed there!

Sources:  in.htm in.htm   l l  Map of Ireland: 2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/44/ AA49.gifhttp://media- 2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/44/ AA49.gif  PowerPoint:  Cartoon 1: 1/1-14.jpg

 Line graph: island/immigration-1820.jpg island/immigration-1820.jpg  Galway ship cartoon: island/cartoon.jpg island/cartoon.jpg  Melting pot cartoon: