1. Immigration in the Antebellum Era
British, Irish, German

2. Between 1830 – 1860 4.78 million immigrants 738,200 – British
Immigration Facts
Between 1830 – 1860
4.78 million immigrants
738,200 – British
1.86 million – Irish
1.49 million - German

3. British Post 1815 1830s – 1840s Welcomed by Americans
Factory work
Problems in England
1830s – 1840s
English farmers and ag. Laborers
Welcomed by Americans
Farmers not prepared
No subgroups
Work in New England factories
Growing urbanization, economic fluctuations
Sold their land in England to buy land in America
Saw British as economic assets in both rural and urban areas
Associated with American cultural roots
Encountered little hostility
Areas to isolated therefore move to cities or already established farmlands
British did not establish subgroups or ethnic communities and assimilated easily into America

4. Irish First refugee population Remained in port cities
Worked in various jobs
Establish communities
Religious
Democratic Party
Mexican American War
Poor and least skilled immigrants as a result of potato famine
Due to limited resources stayed in port cities – NY, Philly, Balt., Boston, Charleston
Canals, railroads, harbors, and textile mills
Women came in search of work
Encountered considerable job discrimination and competition from free blacks
Hostilities lead to anti-Irish riots
Churches, parochial school, mutual aid societies; sent for family members in Ireland
Mostly catholic and clashed with many protestants in public schools
Other political parties were anti immigrant and pushed temperance
Many Irish served during the Mexican American War somewhat improved their standing in the American eyes

5. Germans Land acquisition Germans attract Germans Religious diversity
Complete communities
Opposed Whigs
Cultural contributions
Germans concentrated on acquiring farm land from Texas to Wisconsin and old Northwest- professionals and merchants settle in major cities
Germans went to where other Germans were because of custom and language
Many agricultural communities were established with nearly all German populations
More isolated and had less political influence that the Irish or British
Protestants, Catholics, and Jews
Germans established schools (bilingual), churches, synagogues, newspapers, theaters, gymnasiums, militia and fire companies, and beer gardens
Whigs supported temperance
Kindergarten, beer halls and American celebration of Christmas