Irish Emigration and "Assimilation"

"The Irish Exodus" illustrated the waves of hardship that led to the mass migrations of Irish to America. When initially subjected to political oppression under their British landlords, many Irish fled to the more prosperous West in search of work and food. Despite the adversity, many Irish remained, too proud of their motherland to leave it. Unfortunately, soon thereafter, the potato famine gave many remaining Irish another reason to head West.

I thought this gave good insight into the background of the whole Irish influx during the 18 and 19oos. These were worn down people with oppression in their blood and nothing but hope for a better tomorrow, along with whatever money they had sewn into their pockets. It only makes sense that once in America these people took full advantage of all that the states had to offer. When people in your homeland are pushed to subsist on potatoes and grass, any change of pace is a welcome relief. It was interesting to read how Irish women, who emigrated in larger numbers than the men, created their own place in the workforce, dominating the maid market.

These resilient people were able to take oppression and a devastating blight and turn it into a success story. Many could even argue that the story of the Irish is one of the best examples of a people achieving the American dream.