Irish and German Immigration to American Cities

1. Irish and German Immigration to American Cities 1840-1850 By: Nicole Perrone

2. What is was… • During the years 1840-1850 many Irish and Germans immigrated to America • The Irish and Germans both came for different reasons…

3. Why the Irish came… • The Irish slowly began to immigrate to America in 1820, but increased by the year 1840 • Their immigration increased because of the Great Famine More about the Great Famine

4. The Great Famine • The Great Famine=3 years of potato crop failure • Almost ½ of Ireland lived on farms that produced a small income • The poor farmers depended on the potato crop for food • Because of the famine more than 750,000 people died of starvation • Because of the Great Famine almost 2 million Irish people immigrated to the United States

5. Irish in America • When the Irish moved to America they settled in the northeast in clumps because they didn’t have enough money to buy their own land • Many American jobs were given to the Irish because they were willing to work for less money than the Americans • This made the U.S. citizens feel threatened • They soon put up signs in their stores that said NINA or “No Irish Need Apply” • Some signs also said “Irish Need Not Apply” Fact: Today the population of Ireland is about half of what it was in 1840 because so many people immigrated to America.

7. Why the Germans Came… • The main reason that the Germans immigrated to America between the years 1840-1840 was to escape political unrest in their country • The political unrest was caused by riots, rebellions, and a revolution and took place in the year 1848 • Also there was economic hardship in their country • Not many other countries permitted Germans to immigrate there

8. Germans in America… • Because the Germans had more money than the Irish did when they immigrated, they were able to settle down in the Midwestern area of the United States • They settled there in search of farmland and work • Some popular places that the Germans immigrated to were • Milwaukee • Cincinnati • Baltimore • New York City • St. Louis

9. Random information about the Irish and the Germans • Many immigrants became Democrats because it gave… • The Americans hated the Germans too (it wasn’t’ just the Irish) • The Irish and German immigrants were Roman Catholics

10. The End