Irish Immigration to America in the 1800s

Overview of Irish Immigration

• Considered a historical instance of immigration done right.
• Nearly 5 million Irish arrived in America during the 19th century.
• Seen as a positive contribution to American society, with many descendants in positions of power today.

Public Perception

• Consensus that Irish immigration was beneficial.
• Used by the far left as an example of successful integration.
• Dismissed by far right as merely a white immigrant group assimilating easily.

Challenges Faced by Irish Immigrants

• Integration was not smooth; led to widespread violence and crime.
• Terms like "paddy wagon" and stereotypes of Irish drinking and fighting have historical basis.
• Films like Gangs of New York highlight issues of organized crime and violent gangs.

Organized Crime and Violence

• Notable gangs included the Dead Rabbits (New York) and the Molly Maguires (Pennsylvania).
• Irish immigrants comprised 55% of arrests in New York despite being only 25% of the population.
• The police force was 30% Irish, indicating police bias was unlikely.
• Significant riots involving Irish immigrants:
  • 1862: Riots against floating grain elevators, leading to destruction.
  • 1863: Irish rioted over conscription during the Civil War, lasting four days.
  • 1870s: Clashes between Catholic and Protestant Irish during Orange Order celebrations.

Cultural Roots and Patterns of Violence

• Organized violence has roots in Irish culture, with groups like the Molly Maguires originating in Ireland.
• The Molly Maguires associated with violence in Pennsylvania coal fields, with 16 mining officials allegedly assassinated.
• Irish responsible for 30% of all homicides in Pennsylvania despite being 20% of the population.

Comparison to Other Groups

• Nativism and competition for jobs led to violence.
• Native-born working class also established gangs, often clashing with Irish immigrants.
• Violence extended beyond Eastern US, also evident in San Francisco:
  • 60% of hanged individuals were Irish in the 1850s.
  • Irish were overrepresented in prisons, particularly for homicide.
  • Chinese-Irish rivalries arose from competition in industries like laundry.

Factors Influencing Violence

• Studies show Ireland had a low homicide rate of 2 per 100,000 compared to higher rates in America.
• Despite poverty, many Irish were better off in America than in Ireland, where starvation was a risk.

Chain Migration

• Chain migration involved men establishing themselves before bringing families.
• An estimated $250 million sent back to Ireland between 1850 and 1900.
• Disproportionate male-to-female ratio contributed to higher rates of violence in some areas.

San Francisco Case Study

• High homicide rates and male-dominated population:
  • 1850-1854: Homicide rate was 40 per 100,000.
  • Women-to-men ratio was 1:9 in the 1850s, improving by 1870.

Irish Immigration Characteristics

• Majority of Irish immigrants were from troubled regions, often uneducated and unskilled.
• Systematic efforts to relocate the poorest, with many sent to America due to lack of resources in Ireland.

Conclusions

• Irish immigrants faced severe challenges integrating, leading to a reputation for violence.
• Despite cultural compatibility, lack of skills and education contributed to crime rates.
• Lesson: Compatibility alone is insufficient for successful integration; skills and education are crucial.