Irish and German Immigration to the American Cities 1800

When? The high point of the immigration was between

Who? Nearly two million Irish immigrants came to America within the decade An equal number of Germans immigrated as well

Why did the Irish leave? The Irish left because of a potato blight. This is a problem because potatoes are a big part of the Irish diet. This caused a great famine - A blighted potato

The Irish economy was failing due to the potato blight. Thomas Francis Meagher, an Irish leader “One business alone survives …that fortunate business is Irish coffin making.”

Why did the Germans leave? Most of the Germans left for American Cities because of unemployment, civil unrest, hardships, and to escape religious and political persecution.

Around 1840, Germans started a revolution. Many of the educated Germans realized what was happening and escaped to the US to avoid persecution. When the revolution failed, the working class emigrated for new economy opportunities and freedom from government control. Many Germans could not afford the fare over so they became indentured servants.

What did they do? They settled in towns and cities in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Forced to take low paying jobs despite skills. When the immigrants arrived, they filled a need jobs. Such as building canals, railroads, and simple and cheap labor. Much of the countries buildings, canals, such as the Erie Canal, and railroads were built from their labor. The labor, in turn, created successful local economies. But the immigrants were still very poor.

Immigrants working on a railroad

Discrimination The immigrants were not wanted in the US The Native born citizens felt their jobs were being threatened by the immigrants. Many city stores and services would not hire the immigrants. So the immigrants moved to more laborious jobs to make ends meat. The Irish were discriminated against because of their Irish Catholic religion. The Germans were discriminated against obvious foreignism Many Native citizens looked down on the social activities of the new Germans.

A sign preventing Irish from applying for a job.

Quiz Time! 1.Why did the Irish come to America? 2.Why did the German? 3.How many German and Irish came to the US. 4.Name a something the immigrants built 5.What states did they settle in? 6.Why were the Irish discriminated against? 7.The German?

Facts 1.The Native born citizens felt threatened by the Irish and Germans, Therefore they were the subjects discriminated 2.The Immigrants helped fill a need for simple and cheap labor jobs. 3.The new labors by the immigrants created strong local economies 4.The Irish and German left their native countries because of famine, unemployment, civil unrest, hardships, and to escape religious and political persecution 5.The immigrants were involved with many extensive and hard labor projects such as railroads, buildings, and the Erie canal.