History Back Drop: Bias Against the Irish

Many Irish immigrants, especially those that arrived in the port cities of New York and Boston, were regarded with contempt and treated terribly by Americans. During the peak immigration years of 1840-1860, an estimated one million Irish arrived in the United States. This mass influx of people overloaded the economy, housing, and social support systems.

The Irish fled Ireland in large numbers due to famine and encouragement of the governing British crown. When they arrived in America many were taken advantage of. Most were illiterate, few could even sign their name. Many fell victim to unscrupulous landlords who sub-divided dwellings into cheap housing. Immigrant families were over-charged to live in a single nine-by-eleven foot room with no water, sanitation, ventilation or daylight. Irish men wanting of work were offered enticing jobs at fair wages digging canals in upstate New York (e.g., Erie Canal). But once they arrived, they were told the wages were half, or less. For lack of options, most had no choice to accept the work.