"Irish immigrants first entered the United States in large numbers in the 1840s. Most of the newcomers were poor, uneducated Catholics, fleeing from massive famine that depleted the Irish countryside. Newspapers of the day commented unfavorably on the immigrant Irish, declaring them lazy and violent, prone to drink and commit crimes."
Response to Immigration
Throughout the years of the famine, nearly a million Irish fled their homeland to America seeking refuge. A great majority of the Irish refugees fled to either Boston, Massachusetts or New York, New York. The Irish found that the landlords in Ireland, and in Boston were similar. The landlords in Boston subdivided the apartments of former Bostonians to provide cheap housing for the Irish immigrants. The apartment cost was up to $1.50 a week for a single 9-by-11 room. The apartments had no water, sunlight, or ventilation and they were always extremely unsanitary. The overflow Irish settled anywhere that they could, alleys, backyards, cellars, wooden shacks. The demand for shelter was overwhelming. But, the unsanitary living conditions in Boston caused disease to spread, particularly cholera. Around sixty percent of the Irish children born in Boston didn't live to be six, and the adults lived on average, about six years after stepping off of the boat. The number of unskilled jobs available was limited and had to be shared by the Irish and the Bostonians; which soon developed rivalry. The Bostonians feared being beat by the Irish immigrants who were willing to work for anything. This, along with the anti-Irish and anti-Catholic feelings growing led to 'No Irish Need Apply' signs popping up in windows of workplaces.
The Irish that fled to New York rather than Boston did not face prejudice, but the New Yorkers took advantage of them. The Irish fresh off the boat were met by people called runners who promised to provide housing with nice rooms, good meals, and low prices. When they actually arrived to the houses they were filthy and were to share a room with many other immigrants. Also, the price was double or triple of what was promised. If the family couldn't afford the rent, their luggage was taken for back rent and they were tossed onto the streets of New York. Some runners also sold fraud train or boat tickets to the Irish who wanted to go to different parts of America. The tickets were either invalid or were sold double or triple the price that they were bought for.
The Irish were treated very harshly; discriminated and prohibited from various jobs. This way of life was disrespectful and humiliating. American citizens took advantage of the immigrants, and were in desperate need of an attitude change.
The Irish that fled to New York rather than Boston did not face prejudice, but the New Yorkers took advantage of them. The Irish fresh off the boat were met by people called runners who promised to provide housing with nice rooms, good meals, and low prices. When they actually arrived to the houses they were filthy and were to share a room with many other immigrants. Also, the price was double or triple of what was promised. If the family couldn't afford the rent, their luggage was taken for back rent and they were tossed onto the streets of New York. Some runners also sold fraud train or boat tickets to the Irish who wanted to go to different parts of America. The tickets were either invalid or were sold double or triple the price that they were bought for.
The Irish were treated very harshly; discriminated and prohibited from various jobs. This way of life was disrespectful and humiliating. American citizens took advantage of the immigrants, and were in desperate need of an attitude change.