Irish

=The Irish: A Perspective on American History= by Duncan O’Brien and Gunnar Schultz



The Irish are a Western European group. Pre-1492 and now, they live in the country now called Ireland, which is an island west of Great Britain. A geographic feature that would have limited this group’s ability to move was the Atlantic Ocean. Pre-1492, this group probably interacted with other European groups. Irish immigrants shaped America by helping build the Erie Canal and helping build railroads.
 * Introduction:**


 * Religion (Worldview):** The north of Ireland followed Protestant Christianity and south followed Catholic Christianity. According to their religion, the world order, as we know it was created by the one God "from the darkness” and from “the formless and empty deep.” Humans were created “In God’s image” and given the instruction to farm the land and care for all living creatures. The gods were God the father, the son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. If you disobeyed God’s laws (“sinned”) then he punished them. Punishment included death. When people died they believed you went to either Heaven or Hell. For Christians the Bible (the Christian holy book) was enough for belief.


 * Population in the United States today:** 36,495,800 in 2009 claim Irish ancestry.


 * HISTORY:**

Patrick McGuire stepped off of Columbus’ ship. This is important to Irish history because they played a part in "discovering" America.
 * 1492: Columbus arrives in America**


 * 1607: English colonists settle in Jamestown, Virginia**

In 1689 William the III resigned. In the 1600s, many native Irish were displaced from plantations because English owners wanted the land for themselves. The 17th century was perhaps the bloodiest in Ireland’s history.
 * 1689: English colonies expand**


 * 1776-1787: American Revolution; U.S. Constitution

1804: Tlingits battle Russians at Sitka

1839: Trail of Tears; Amistad** From 1820-1860, the Irish constituted over one third of all U.S. immigration, due to the potato famine which was when the potatoes got a disease and caused people in Europe to die of hunger.


 * 1850: Fugitive Slave Act made**

Draft riots occurred - -these were known as the New York Draft Riots and resulted from conscriptions by President Lincoln. This means that Lincoln was drafting people to fight for the Union in the Civil War, and people didn't want to fight.
 * 1863: U.S. Civil War; Emancipation Proclamation**

By 1910, there were more people in New York City of the Irish heritage then in Dublin’s whole population.
 * 1890s: Westward movement; reform movements**


 * Works Cited:** Irish Americans on Wikipedia.com