Irish, German, and British Immigrants
Chris Vaughan
APUSH Mr. Osborn
11/12/11
Irish, German, and British Settlers
Within the period of 1830 to 1860, the experiences of immigrants from Ireland, Britain, and Germany held many similarities in their motivations for migration, with numerous differences found in their interactions with American society, and their respective associations with the economy of the United States of America. This time period signified the largest migration of nationalities in the history of the United States, with its results still being noticeable today. There are immediate similarities that are drawn from the motivation of Irish, British, and German immigrants within the period of 1830 to 1860. The first similarities are found when comparing the earlier group of Irish migrants, to those of some of the minor sections of British and German immigrants. Within the 1830s, those who came from Ireland had resources and skills that they desired to bring to America, or more specifically its world-renowned port cities, in order to better their economic well-being. Many German and British immigrants, such as those who were artisans, merchants, and professionals, also went to the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston. Further similarities are seen when comparing the Irish settlers after the potato famine of the 1840s, to those immigrants from Britain and Germany who were focused on agriculture. The most obvious similarity that can be derived from this situation is that all three of the groups are being influenced by geography. While the Irish were forced to leave their country to survive, the Germans and British were attracted to prospective lands in the Old Northwest, and Texas. The final conceptual similarity found for the motivations of these three nationalities’ exoduses to North America is displayed in their role, or lack there of, in their original countries economies. During the 1840s, the Irish immigrants were mainly comprised of the less skillful members of
APUSH Mr. Osborn
11/12/11
Irish, German, and British Settlers
Within the period of 1830 to 1860, the experiences of immigrants from Ireland, Britain, and Germany held many similarities in their motivations for migration, with numerous differences found in their interactions with American society, and their respective associations with the economy of the United States of America. This time period signified the largest migration of nationalities in the history of the United States, with its results still being noticeable today. There are immediate similarities that are drawn from the motivation of Irish, British, and German immigrants within the period of 1830 to 1860. The first similarities are found when comparing the earlier group of Irish migrants, to those of some of the minor sections of British and German immigrants. Within the 1830s, those who came from Ireland had resources and skills that they desired to bring to America, or more specifically its world-renowned port cities, in order to better their economic well-being. Many German and British immigrants, such as those who were artisans, merchants, and professionals, also went to the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston. Further similarities are seen when comparing the Irish settlers after the potato famine of the 1840s, to those immigrants from Britain and Germany who were focused on agriculture. The most obvious similarity that can be derived from this situation is that all three of the groups are being influenced by geography. While the Irish were forced to leave their country to survive, the Germans and British were attracted to prospective lands in the Old Northwest, and Texas. The final conceptual similarity found for the motivations of these three nationalities’ exoduses to North America is displayed in their role, or lack there of, in their original countries economies. During the 1840s, the Irish immigrants were mainly comprised of the less skillful members of