IRISH AND

GERMAN
IMMIGRATION TO
AMERICAN CITIES

During the years 1840-1850 many Irish

and Germans immigrated to America
The Irish and Germans both came for
different reasons

WHAT SORT OF
REASONS?
Push

Factors
Pull Factors

PUSH FACTORS

Things that cause people to want to leave a

country, or push them out.

Religious Persecution, War, Poor/unstable economy.

PULL FACTORS

Things that attract people to move to a place, or

pulls them in.

Land, Employment, Religious or Political Freedom.

WHY THE IRISH

CAME
THE GREAT
FAMINE

The Great Famine was a 3 year period of potato crop failure

Almost 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

IRISH IN AMERICA

When the Irish moved to America they settled in the

northeast in clumps because they didnt 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
Side Note:
Today the population of Ireland is about half
of what it was in 1840 because so many
people immigrated to America.

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

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

Where Did They Settle?

THE TRIP

Think Titanic.
Many traveled in poor conditions steerage
Many people became sick because of tight
living quarters. Disease spread easily.

Facebook Status
You are an immigrant who is moving to America with your
family. Imagine if Facebook were around at that time (silly
concept, I know, but just go with it). Of course updating your
status about your move is important so that you keep family
and friends back home updated. Be sure to include:
Your name,
Where youre moving to and from (remember the map),
Why you are moving (think of push and/or pull factors).
Any emotions: Sad? Happy? Nervous? Do you even want to
move?
Why or why not?