Topic > American Dream: Irish and Italian Americans

The Irish were one of the first ethnic groups to come to the Americas. The first group of Irish worked for English settlers in the 1650s (Feagan, 85). Shortly thereafter, more Irish began to emigrate to the United States. One of the main reasons they came was due to a famine in Ireland, "known as the Irish Famine of 1840...a potato blight caused a massive failure of that crop and many people died of starvation or starvation-related disease" (Feagan, 86). Which led to another reason why their move was voluntary. “North America, which has been described, in exaggerated terms, as the land of golden opportunity” (Feagan, 86). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Although it seemed like a promising opportunity and a guaranteed future of possibilities, not many Irish were able to see America because they had died along the way. They traveled on boats, but due to famine most died of starvation. Some Irish traveled with families, others alone. Once they landed in America they had “grouped into small settlements dispersed within the cities” (Feagan, 86). At first, racial and ethnic segregation did not seem like a problem because “English leaders supported emigration to the United States as a solution to the famine” (Feagan, 86). Men and women worked and sent their children to school who would later join them. Some wives were housewives, white-collar workers, or domestic servants. Most Irish women were single and worked as white-collar workers and domestic servants to be considered independent and self-sufficient. Married Irish women were seen as “very important in their communities” (Feagan, 86). To help raise children and keep them grounded in books and soon in the world of work. Irish men worked in mines, factories, ports, etc. Irish Americans faced several types of oppression, but it was mostly segregation. Anglo-Protestants began to stereotype the Irish with “words like capricious, dangerous, quarrelsome, idle, and reckless” (Feagan, 86). As more and more Irish emigrated, caricatures were created to symbolize their characteristics and characteristics. They were even considered "apes". “The simian image of the Irish was imported from England. As debates about human evolution increase in England. The poor Irish had been seen by many in England and the United States as the missing link between the gorilla and the human race” (Feagan, 87). “They also had to compete for low-wage jobs against African Americans” (Feagan, 89). This is why they did not want African Americans to move to the North and were against their freedom because economically they would not be able to compete and survive. The Irish resisted oppression by siding with the Anglo-Protestants in conflict with other ethnic groups. “They were known for starting racial or ethnic conflicts” (Feagan 88). “To secure their 'place in the sun,' Irish Americans fought vigorously against many groups, from established Anglo-Protestants (on political-economic issues) to Native Americans (on land)” (Feagan, 88). Rebellion and regulation movement, to relieve domination and expand one's political power. The Irish were encouraged to settle in frontier areas to protect the dominant Anglo-Protestant interests from the Native Americans” (Feagan, 88). This is where scalping comes from. They later came into conflict with African Americans. They basically had to competeto see who was best suited to be drafted into the army, which led to the “'Draft Riot,' the most serious riot in the history of the United States” (Feagan, 89). “Between 1850 and 1889, most Irish Americans came to see themselves as white and, as a rule, began to develop anti-black prejudices and attitudes shared by other whites” (Feagan, 89). combined with the “master race” that all their problems with the Anglo-Protestants would disappear because they had deemed themselves worthy of the status quo. The contributions that the Irish have made over time have certainly been history, culture, music, entertainment, St. Patrick's Day, the idea of ​​bringing good luck with a shamrock and many others. “They became political and religious leaders. They used their grit and charm (and their "way with words") to achieve special success in journalism, entertainment and sports. The popular perception of the fierce Irish character introduced terms such as "Paddy Wagon", "Donnybrook", and "Fighting Irish" into the American language. Among the earliest immigrants to the United States, the Irish are now assimilated into all aspects of this nation, yet still retain pride and identity in their Irish heritage” (Teacher Resources - Library of Congress.com). emigrated from Italy to the United States starting in 1820. They traveled in groups, mostly from the same villages or towns. The Italians left for much the same reason the Irish left, “land and agricultural problems” (Feagan, 98). Along with “low income, poor soil, a feudal system, unreasonable taxation, and government corruption were major push factors at the point of origin” (Feagan, 98). Unlike the Irish, some Italians viewed the move to America as temporary. What attracted them to the United States is “the exaggerated image of the United States as a place of expanding opportunity…” (Feagan, 98). Italians traveled by boat and usually with their villages or families. Which made the transition not so difficult because “migration along kinship networks, typical of countries, lessened the pain of resettlement” (Feagan, 98). “In larger cities, many immigrants settled in ethnic enclaves – residential, social, and economic niches where other visitors already resided – often called 'Little Italies'” (Feagan, 98). Which made their transition much smoother than others. Both spouses in Italian families worked. “Most worked as unskilled labor, often in transportation systems such as canals and railways, and in water and sewage systems. Pay was low and individuals and families were generally poor” (Feagan, 98). “Women were often employed in low-paid trade occupations” (Feagan, 105). Italian Americans faced much greater oppression than the Irish, and it lasted much longer. Ethnic discrimination against everyone, along with stereotypes like the Mafia, low IQ test scores, low draft test scores, always being seen as the “inferior race” and having to do more than the Irish Americans did to become part of the white race. Which would have started conflict between other ethnic races, including the Anglo-Protestant. Italians seemed to get along well with African Americans, but due to the constant discrimination and stereotypes they received from Anglo-Protestants, they felt they had to choose a side. They also sought to “buy their way into the racist system, thereby accepting a place in the 'white race' and with an orientation that undermined their previously strong commitments to multiracial democracy” (Feagan 103). Italian Americans were able to”.