Irish Potato Famine In America

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“A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.” Irish Blessing. When the Irish’s potatoes began dying in 1845, over a million men, women and children died and thousands were caused to flee the country, many immigrants fled to America. The fortunate people, that were able to pay for safe passage to America on well built and well supplied ships, got to America safely. Some were not so fortunate… Those who survived the journey over, arrived to disappointment and a new life of poverty. In September of 1845, Irish potato crops all across Ireland began to turn black and die. Most peasant families in Ireland did not have enough money to buy much food. Most families survived on a diet of only potatoes. …show more content…
Rich landlords evicted many Irish peasants and paid to have them shipped to North America. The landlords paid as little as possible for passage, therefore, the ships were in poor condition. Ships were crowded , infectious, poorly built, and were short food and medical services. Due to all of the indigent conditions, many passengers contracted diseases and died abroad, not even making it to shore. Due to the amount of deaths, the ships were named, appropriately, ‘coffin ships.’ Immigrants that paid their own way, boarded ships that were well built and supplied. Although sailing in the 1800’s presented many obstacles. A majority, but not all, of those who boarded were safely transported to North America's port. From there, many immigrants searched for jobs and began to start their new …show more content…
Many landlords look two story homes and split them, selling each room to a different family. Rooms were typically nine feet by 10 feet with no water, or sanitation. These meek rooms could cost up to $1.50 a week. The unsanitary conditions were breeding ground for disease. Sixty percent of the population of Irish children never lived past the age of six. Adults tended to live only 6 years after stepping into America. Those who didn’t die of disease were driven into alcoholism and despair. There was a large increase in crime, a majority included aggravated assault alone. Working Bostonian men were angry when Irish men came looking for jobs. In Ireland, someone could make eight cents a day, at most. In America, they could make up to a dollar a day. The discovery of these men willing to work for less and getting paid more caused people to stop hiring Irish people. “No Irish Need Apply” signs were put up in storefronts. Boston was only one of the cities that treated the Irish with this disrespect. New Yorkers were taking advantages of of the new-comers as soon as they stepped off the ships. People, known as ‘runners’, were sent from boarding house’s, they promised many Irish affordable rates, comfortable rooms and good food. When the people would arrive, the rooms were almost inhabitable and once inside the rates were atrocious… People were charged until their money ran out and then they were stripped
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