The two main groups to immigrate during this time were the
Irish and British. The Irish bitterly resented the British who ruled Ireland. Many
rented from British landlords who treated them as second class sub-citizens. It was
densely populated, and suffered from intense economic hardship. Aside from political
persecution, the Irish economy depended heavily on the potato crop which was wiped out
by potato blight. Because of the long time for potato plants to mature, there was
insufficient time for another crop to be planted and many people starved. The Irish
Potato famine caused widespread death (over one million) from starvation, promise of the
good life in America drew them like flies. They came over crowded in ships that were
dangerous and unsanitary. Still,they had no choice, as to stay in Ireland would have
been certain starvation.
Many German immigrants
tended to be learned people, doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc., who left Germany after
the European revolutions of 1848 failed. Attempts had been made to unify Germany but
failed. The resultant political persecution caused many Germans to migrate to the U.S.
from political necessity.
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