II. European migration in the 19th century

Why do Europeans migrate in the 19th century?

A.Related to industrialization 1. In the 19th c, old seasonal migrations and border crossing migrations continue – for agricultural purposes – Up to several hundred km for harvesting – Migrations of skilled workers increase with urban expansion I. Multiple Reasons for Migrating

2. Industrialization of cities favors rural flight, attracting inhabitants of overpopulated rural areas -New farm machinery destroys employment in the countryside.

– People migrate first toward large cities then emigrate toward another country (seemingly the only solution possible)

European phenomenon with multifarious causes B. Political migrations develop - after the revolutions of 1831 and Germans, Italians and Poles seeking refuge - Various states intervene to accelerate or hinder certain migrations

C. Religious migrations due to persecution After 1880, pogroms push Jews in the Russian Empire to emigrate

Immigration numbers reach their peak in late 1850’s

European Immigration: Europeans immigrated to the US in huge waves during these years Old Immigrants: Western Europe New Immigrants: Eastern Europe

II. Europe unequally affected by migrations Economic migrations which increase with unemployment e.g. Irish emigration after Great Famine

An emigration of poverty: Irish emigration in the 19th Century A.Ireland: Land of Exodus 1.Product of British colonization Colonized in 17th Century by Great Britain and annexed to United Kingdom in 1800 Population majority Catholic to whom is imposed protestant colonizers from England and Scotland

Middle Ages: religious migrations of monks to evangelize the continent Modern Era migrations for religious and military reasons, 18 th century for economic reasons Up to 1815, around 11,000 people per year emigrated to Great Britain but also towards America Between 1815 and 1848, 1 million Irish cross the Atlantic and 500,000 leave for Great Britain – Beginning of the “great emigration of paupers” 2. The Irish: A Tradition of Immigration

Irish immigrants of first half of 19th Century : proletariats doing the hardest labor (terracing, drainage, building mining galleries…) (e.g. Erie Canal in Great Lakes region) Vast majority wind up in packed urban ghettos – their arrival is very poorly viewed by the Anglo-Saxon population (in U.S. and U.K.) 3. an Emigration of Paupers

B. The Great Irish Exodus ( ) 1. Why does emigration increase? From , around 2.3 M leave Ireland, more than 200,000/year for 5 yrs Potato Blight (food staple of Irish population) causes a famine which leads to 1 million deaths and incites more than a million Irish to emigrate to the U.S. (the poorest flee to G.B.)

Potato Production during the Great Famine

Emigration continues over the years, despite the depopulation of the Island

Due to a series of bad harvests, evictions multiply, generating numerous departures which remain significant until the 1890’s. eviction of 300 tenants by Mrs. Gerrard from the village of Ballinglass, Co Galway, on March 13, 1846

Immigration to the United States Push and Pull Factors for the Irish Few immigration restrictions Famine Unemployment US industrialized in the late 19 th century (= JOBS!!!) Abundant land Religious persecution No social restrictions Oppressive governments Write push or pull after each factor

Atlantic Voyage Steerage: cheapest “seats” on a steamship Cramped disgusting quarters 14 day trip Ellis Island Inspection before entry to the US Physical Examination Questions Politics???, Criminals???, Can You Work???, and Do You Have Some Money??? 2% were denied admission 17 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island 71% of all immigrants 21% of Americans today can trace their ancestors to Ellis Island

How did the United States React? Nativism Favoritism towards native-born Americans Socially acceptable discrimination against non- natives

Irish immigrants were the 1 st to feel the wrath of Nativism They swell the ranks of urban proletariats and their social ascension is slow Poorly viewed by Anglo Saxon Protestants who reject them 2. Irish Integration in U.S. society

Like Italians, the Irish are accused of threatening the basis of the American nation because of their Catholic faith (loyal to the Pope, Political Machines…)

Populate urban slums called tenements where misery, lawlessness and poor hygienic conditions reign

Dilapidated Golden Flats Tenement slum housing

Squalid Living Conditions

Cramped living quarters

Gangs of New York Rioting in New York between “natives” and Irish newcomers

Circa 1870 Irish immigrants have settled in large Northern cities (New York, Boston, Chicago); obtain social integration thanks to trade union movement and political life (Democratic Party) In 1880, New York elects its first Irish Catholic mayor Some success stories (e.g. Ford) In 1960, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the first Catholic President descendant from Irish immigrants, is elected Today million Americans have Irish origins Irish Integration into U.S. Society today