Irish Immigration by Chase Lambert

Abstract

This research paper is about the lifestyle of Irish immigrants in America and Ireland. This analysis will reveal the hardships that Irish immigrants had to endure not only in America but also in Ireland. Also, this examination will reveal the daily routines Irish immigrants went through to survive. Irish immigrants took the hardest jobs for the lowest wages that Native Americans did not want to take just to survive. For example, a hard working job Irish immigrants chose to do was working in the coal mine. I analyzed four books to discover information on Irish immigration. I learned that coming to America and trying to start a new life was not easy as one might consider. The immigration of the Irish displays the courage that one must have to embark one the journey to America. Irish immigrants have made a contribution to making America a successful, strong nation.

Irish Immigration

“The future is not set, there is no fate but what we make for ourselves.” ~ Irish proverb

           

Imagine one and one’s family embarking on an adventure across the Atlantic Ocean while on an overcrowded ship anticipating a new life for one and one’s family. Finally, Irish immigrants see land and begin to get anxious knowing that there is hope for a better life once the ship docks, but when it is time for people to start filing off the ship, objects are thrown in the direction of the Irish immigrants and vulgar sayings yelled at them. In addition, the Irish immigrants forced to enlist in the army as soon as they placed their feet on United States soil. No group was considered lower than the Irish immigrants in America during the 1850s. “Approximately 3.5 million Irishmen entered the United States between 1820 and 1880” (Immigration: The Irish). Many Irish immigrants migrated over as indentured servants, domestic workers, and laborers. Also, convicted criminals were forced to move from Ireland to the British colonies in America. The three major factors that led to the migration of Irish citizens to America were scarcity of food, a religious battle, and overpopulation in Ireland. Irish immigrants had to endure a harsh lifestyle not only in Ireland before their emigration but also in the United States after their immigration.

            The scarcity of food was one of the three major reasons Irish citizens migrated to America. During the year 1816, food shortages in Ireland caused Irish emigrates to journey to America. In addition, the main food source in Ireland was the “white” potato or Irish potato, and the potato famine was the main food shortage that caused a large wave of emigration to the United States. “Additionally, over 50,000 people died of diseases: typhus, scurvy, dysentery” (Irish Potato Famine and Trade). Furthermore, the potato was no longer Ireland’s greatest export, but the people were. “Since Ireland could not export any potato during the time of the potato famine, farmers of Ireland were forced to export corn, wheat, barley, and oats to Britain, which left the potato as the sole dietary staple for the people and their animals” (Irish Potato Famine and Trade).

            The Andean Mountains is where the ‘white’ potato originally originated.  It is speculated that the Spanish transported the potato back to Europe during the sixteenth century. Potatoes, once thought to be poisonous since the potato was categorized into the same family of the poisonous nightshade, became the staple of European diets. After the emperors of Europe found the potato to have nourishing value, the emperors ordered the potato to be planted. By 1800, the potato had taken root and ninety percent of the Irish population was dependent on the potato. The potato blight which caused the Great Famine of Ireland, results from an ‘airborne pathogen’ that spreads rapidly among crops ‘during precise weather conditions’. In 1845, the potato blight destroyed 40% of the Irish potatoes and the following year, approximately 100% of the crop was ruined (Irish Potato Famine and Trade).

However, “Prime Minister Lord John Russell oversaw famine relief efforts approved of Irish farmers planting corn instead of potatoes. Indian corn was purchased because doing so did not interfere with private enterprise. Moreover, it had the immense advantage of being cheap, one of the cheapest foods on which a human being could keep alive” (Woodham-Smith 55). Nevertheless, corn lacked a sufficient amount of nutrients that potatoes had. Many Irish people suffered from scurvy and dysentery. In the same manner, the lack of food caused many men, women, and children to board overcrowded ships called “coffin ships.”

            Depending on the skill set of the captain of the coffin ship, it could take roughly forty days to three months to arrive at Quebec, Canada, which is where the first coffin ships landed while on the journey to America.  Coffin ships were unseaworthy and overly crowded and nearly always contained insufficient rations of drinking water, food and sanitation. The ships were supposed to be inspected for disease and any sick passengers removed before arriving in the St. Lawrence River. If passengers were sick, the passengers were to be taken to a quarantine facility called Grosse Isle (History Place).

However, as more and more ships of Irish immigrants started to embark on the journey to America, lines of coffin ships started forming down the St. Lawrence River.  As a result of the passengers having to wait in extremely long lines, the healthy Irish immigrants exposed to the sick passengers would sometimes also become ill with typhoid. With people dying on board the coffin ships while floating in the St. Lawrence River waiting for their ship to be inspected for diseases, people on board started to dump the dead bodies into the St. Lawrence River. “Many pauper families had been told by their landlords that once they arrived in Canada, an agent would meet them and pay out between two and five pounds depending on the size of the family. But no agents were ever found. Promises of money, food and clothing had been utterly false. Landlords knew that once the paupers arrived in Canada there was virtually no way for them to ever return to Ireland and make a claim. Thus they had promised them anything just to get them out of the country” (History Place). Additionally, coffin ships represented how desperate Irish people were to leave Ireland. For example, Irish emigrants must be desperate enough to risk their life knowing that their ship might not make it across the Atlantic Ocean or the fact that one might take the risk of getting ill and dying during the journey to America. However, if a passenger could survive the journey across the Atlantic Ocean and pass the inspection, a passenger would have to endure the hardships of being a despised immigrant in America.

The lifestyle of Irish immigrants in America consisted of labor in factories, building roads, building canals, and building bridges. “Similarly, it is indisputable that a massive flux of famine immigrants crowded into low status manual work” (Kenny 187). Irish immigrants often entered the workforce by taking the basic jobs and the most dangerous jobs that most other workers tended to avoid. For example, a dangerous job one could find an Irish immigrant doing was working the coal mine. “If young Irish immigrants typically found more opportunities in the U.S. than in Ireland, they were also subjected to more physically hazardous and exhausting work than was the norm at home” (Kenny 192). Irish immigrant women would also labor, as servants, domestic workers or millworkers. Irish men took the place of uncooperative workers who were demanding higher wages from their employers, by working for less. The Irish immigrants’ willingness to take a low pay wage led to discrimination and prejudice from the Native Americans against the Irish foreigners. “Ads for employment often were followed by ‘NO IRISH NEED APPLY’” (Kinsella). Because of the constant discrimination against the Irish, Irish immigrants were kept at this poor standing by only being offered the lowest paying and most backbreaking jobs available, leaving the higher paying jobs for Native American citizens. However, if Irish immigrants would have farmed for their occupation in America instead of taking jobs from the Native Americans, one could wonder if the experience for Irish immigrants might have been a little easier. “Older people ought to adhere to the occupation to which they have been accustomed from early life. Thus, for instance, the majority of Irish people have been accustomed to agricultural labor; and to abandon it in America is, in most cases, the certain road to poverty and dependence” (Byrne 33).  Most Irish immigrants who settled in Baltimore worked for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad (Irish Railroad). Irish immigrants did any labor to attempt to make the living conditions for their family better.

Living conditions for the Irish immigrants were not so magnificent. “The Irish who came after 1830 had to create their own community, evolve their own tradition, and produce their own leaders” (Shannon 32).  All major towns had their "Irish Town" or "Shanty Town" where the Irish immigrants gathered together (Kinsella). Irish immigrants were forced to live in cellars, partly because of poverty but also because Irish immigrants provided a bad reputation for the neighborhood. The cellars that one could fine Irish immigrants living would have mold covering the walls. “The Irish lived by an unstable, unformulated compromise between the neighborly code of the old country village and the individualistic code of the open American society” (Shannon P.33). As a result, Irish male immigrants had to adjust their personality from an aggressive person to a mellower individual. Additionally, as soon as Irish immigrants stepped onto American soil some Irish immigrants were grabbed by land owners and were forced to live there and pay the amount of money the rent would be. Many Native Americans would use to their advantage the fact that the Irish immigrants were illiterate and easily manipulated. Irish immigrants were not accustomed to plumbing and running water. Furthermore, Five Points was a geographic location in central lower Manhattan in New York City where one could find majority of Irish immigrants.

Margaret Brown was born by her parents who were two Irish immigrants. Margaret Brown is famously known by her name “Molly” Brown. Margaret was one of the passengers that survived the sinking of the Titanic. “After Margaret’s death, Margaret was known as the ‘Unsinkable Molly Brown’. Margaret relocated to Leadville, Colorado this is where Margaret found her husband, James Brown, who was also born by Irish immigrants” (Molly Brown). Additionally, Margaret and James had two kids whose names were Franklin and Kathy. “Margaret helped others board the lifeboats but Margaret was finally convinced to leave the ship, Titanic, in Lifeboat number six” (Doherty). She would later be regarded as a champion for her efforts to get Lifeboat six to go back to search for survivors. Molly Brown was nicknamed "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" by historians because she helped in the ship's evacuation, taking an oar herself in her lifeboat and protesting for the lifeboat to go back to try to save more people.

The lifestyles that Irish immigrants had to endure not only in America but also back in Ireland were unbearable. Concurrently, there were three main factors that left the Irish immigrants no choice but to make their journey to America were overpopulation in England, a religious battle, and scarcity of food. In addition to, the Irish hardships did not end there, but reoccurred when in America by having to do unbearable jobs and live in cellars of basements that flooded whenever the tide would come in if the immigrants lived by the beach. It is amazing how much obstacles Irish immigrants had to overcome to have a place in America. Irish immigrants have made a contribution to making America a successful, strong nation.

           

           

Gartner abstract

Immigration Acts since World War II

            My paper is about important immigration acts that were passed since World War II. I chose this topic for my final paper because, not only was I learning about this type of stuff in my history class at the time that this was assigned, but it pertains to the class as well. I figured since I’m in this Comp II class that’s based upon Ellis Island and immigration, I might as well write my paper on immigration, since we’ve learned all about it. The immigration acts in my paper start in the 1800’s and end in the 2000’s. The acts passed vary from naturalization acts in the 1800’s to immigration, naturalization, and national origins acts in the 1900’s; to acts based upon certain races in post World War II to getting ID’s made in the 2000’s.

Italian Immigration in the 20th Century and the Mafia by Tiffany Edouard

Abstract:

            Italians started a mass immigration to this country around 1880 and continued though the 1920’s. During this time over 4 million Italians immigrated to this country. When the Italians settled in America they were looked down upon because they had dark hair, dark eyes, and tan skin. Because of the unfriendly and hostile environment surrounding Italian immigration loyalty to the family became a priority. This is why most Mafia affiliation was family associated. The Mafia started in Italy as a way to enforce justice where the police fell short. Once the Mafia came to America it was handled by criminals and took on another light. The Mafia became a stigma for blackmail, violence, loan sharking, and criminal behavior. Even though not all Italian Americans were involved in the Mafia, it was large enough to cast a negative shadow over Italian culture in America. Granted, the Italian culture is marked by negative actions of the Mafia, but Italian Americans have contributed so much to American culture. They have contributed their skills, hard work, family value and foods, which have become a staple in American culture.

Italian Immigration in the 20th Century and the Mafia

            Italian Americans have helped shape American life. They have contributed numerous cultural aspects to America’s melting pot. As a people, Italians have a strong sense of family and an impeccable work ethic. Many Italians came to this country to work hard and create a good life style for there families. New Italian immigrants worked in horrible conditions, live in tenement housing, and experienced a great deal of discrimination. Italians have contributed heavily in American food, arts, sports, public services, government, and military history. Italian immigrants have left a mark on American history that cannot be replaced. Although Italians have contributed so much to American culture their legacy in this country has been defamed by the criminal actions of the Mafia.

The Mafia made its appearance in America during the area of prohibition and has continued to rule the underground world of illegal dealings in America. The Mafia controlled the drug industry of America and took part in loan sharking and embezzlement. Many members of the Mafia during Prohibition sold alcohol illegally and covered it up by owning restaurants across American cities. The Mafia also used their money to work their way around the legal system. The Mafia has destroyed families and participated in America’s criminal life for years. Federal Agents cracked down on these Mobsters, bringing its top rulers to justice but the Mafia still runs today. Italians have overcome discrimination, poverty, and left there foot print in American history, but their legacy will always have the blemish that the criminal actions of the Mafia left.

            The journey to America was not an easy one for most Italian immigrants. To many Italian immigrants coming to America, Ellis Island was called the trail of tears. For many Italian immigrants, making the journey to America was less of a risk than staying in Italy. Italy was stricken with poverty, overpopulation, and natural disasters. Italy had rising birthrates year, after year and the death rates continued to decrease. Also in Italy, the illiteracy rate began to increase. S. Mintz stated in the article Italian Immigration that there “was 70 percent illiteracy, ten times the rate in England, France, or Germany.” Italians also had to overcome the difficulties of scarce cultivatable land, deforestation, soil erosion, and the lack of iron ore and coal needed for industry. Although the journey to America was not an easy one, many Italians felt it was a better choice and made the voyage year after year. Italy’s population was only about 14 million but during the years of 1876 to 1924, over four and a half million Italians came to Ellis Island.

During this period many Italian immigrants were men coming to America for work so that they could save their money and return back to Italy with their families. The American Immigration Law Foundation states in their article The Story of Italian Immigration that “20 to 30 percent of those Italian immigrants returned to Italy permanently.” This is because many of the immigrants that came to America during this time found there place in America and eventually brought there families over.

Once in America, Italian immigrants settled in large groups. Many of these groups where based off of kinship, and birth place of the Italians. As the number of Italians settling in America grew, Italians began to establish areas where they would feel safe from prejudice and discrimination, especially from the large population of Irish and German around them. In these towns Italians established their own businesses, bakeries, and fruit markets. They created a great environment for themselves to flourish in their culture and not forget were they came from (Parker 13). The Italian towns, also known as Little Italy’s, played a large part in helping new Italians transition to their new life in America.

 Family was at the core of Italian life style. Many Italian immigrants treated family as the root of survival in America. To maintain a stable household, many women Italian immigrants did piece work in their homes so that they could stay in the home and work. On the other hand the men of the households were the primary bread winners. Many Italian men worked in cities as unskilled labor. They took jobs such as heavy construction jobs, digging tunnels, laying railroad tracks, constructing bridges, roads, and working on the first skyscrapers. Italians worked for long hours and low wages, they began to rival the Irish workers in these areas for the unskilled labor jobs. Although they were underpaid for their work, Italian workers worked hard and earned their way into the American dream.

Italians faced numerous hardships coming to this country, finding work, the language barrier, and their lack of education. Given all these barriers, none were more daunting then the discrimination that Italian Americans faced. Italians were the single largest group of immigrants to this country during the beginning of the twentieth century. They faced discrimination because of their dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin (Demetri 7). As nationalism in this country became more prevalent, Italians immigrants were shunned for there migration of such large numbers. Nativist ridiculed Italians about there “in-between” color, they were not black and they were not fair skinned white. Justin Demrtri tells in his article The Early Struggles of Italians in America that “here in the United States, newly-arrived Italians were treated worse than animals.” Italians had to prove themselves worthy every day to fight the stipulatin that they were just another poor Italian coming to live on the streets of America.

Eventually many Italians begain to over come the disrimination and poverty they found in this country to make a better life for themselves and there family. Men like Generoso Pope, who started with nothing and worked his way to have every thing he ever dreamed of. Pope was the first Italian millionaire in America. He came to America from Benevento, Italy in 1904. Pope started in this country as a rail road laborer and later worked for a small construction company. Later he bought that construction company in 1925 and made it the largest supplier of building materials in the country. He also purchased the Il Progresso Italo Americano, the first daily Italian language newspaper (Mintz 16). Pope started with nothing and worked endlessly until he had everything he ever dreamed of when coming to this country.

            Although many Italian immigrants came to this country ready to work hard and make their living the legal way, some Italians did not. During the area of prohibition in America many Italian immigrants found work becoming bootleggers and illegally distributing alcohol. From this the organized crimes of the Mafia began. The Mafia has its roots in Italy. The Mafia started as a way of life not a violent gang. It was a way to protect your family and loved ones from the injustice of the government. When the Mafia came to America it was a way to protect your family from starving to death. Men would smuggle illegal alcohol into cities and sell them. This was their way of providing for their families. Soon the industry started to organize and became the Mafia we know today.

In the late 1920s, a struggle broke out between the two biggest Italian-American criminal gangs. In 1931, Salvatore Maranzano came out on top and named himself “boss of all bosses”. A rising mobster Lucky Luciano had him murdered to take the power. Luciano then decided to create the arrangement of a central organization called the Commission to supply a central national board of directors for the Mafia (www.history.com).

The American Mafia organized itself around the organization of the old Sicilian Mafia.

The Sicilian Mafia does not have its roots in crime and violence like the Italian American mafia. Sicily was being ruled by Arabic military. In Arabic, the "mafia" means, "refuge." Sicily was attacked and the citizens were forced into labor (Bush 9). Every invasion of Sicily after that made the citizens seek refuge in the hills. The refugees eventually made a secret social order to create a sense of family. The structure was organized on the idea of family and had a strong hierarchical make up. The "dons" were the family heads, in charge of the mafia in every village. They had to report to the "don of dons". This is seen heavily in the order of the mafia in America. There is a “boss” and “under bosses” and the under bosses report to the “boss” (Bush 14). The boss gets a cut of every money making operation handled by any mafia member. Outside of the top leaders of the mafia there is also the capos (captains), who each controlled a crew with 10 soldiers and at the bottom were the associates. This formed a “family” and each family ruled a certain area. Each member took an oath and pledge complete loyalty to the mafia. These Italian immigrants were not just loyal to the mafia they were loyal to there families to make sure that they were safe and protected.

            By the mid 1900’s every large city in America had its own mafia gang. As the end of prohibition came the mafia took on the smuggling of other drugs into America. The mafia had large dealing in crack cocaine and loan sharking. This is the more modern mafia view that the world has. Federal agents took down the top Mafia bosses during the late 1900’s (www.history.com). Although the leaders of the mafia were taken down the mafia still strives today and continues to fuel America’s drug industries.

             In conclusion, Italians have come to this country expecting to make a better life for themselves and their families. Early Italians had to deal with living in poverty and handling discrimination. Italians held there families and culture close and worked though any hardships they had. Many of them succeeded like Generoso Pope and made an amazing life for themselves here in America. Others did not an engaged in the illegal dealings of the mafia. So many Italians came to this country and worked hard to make there way. Even thought there is a large blemish on the Italian image because of the Mafia, there is no denying the amazing benefits the Italian culture has had on American life.

Works Cited

Bush, Krista. "Lupo, Salvatore. History of the Mafia." Library Journal 1 Aug. 2009: 96.

Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Mar. 2012

Demetri, Justin. "Italians in America: From Discrimination to Adoration." Italy. Web. 04 Apr.       2012. <http://www.lifeinitaly.com/heritage/italian-discrimination>.

Dickie, John. Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia. New York: Palgrave Macmillan,

2004. Print.

Guglielmo, Jennifer. "Transnational feminism's radical past: lessons from Italian immigrant

women anarchists in industrializing America." Journal of Women's History 22.1 (2010):

10+. Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Mar. 2012.

Iorizzo, Luciano J. Italian Immigration and the Impact of the Padrone System. New York: Arno,   1980. Print.

"Mafia in the United States." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 21 Mar. 2012.            <http://www.history.com/topics/mafia-in-the-united-states>.

Mintz, S. (2007). Italian Immigration. Digital History. Retrieved 4/3/12 from            http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu<http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/ital             an_immigration.cfm>

Parker, Lewis K. Why Italian Immigrants Came to America. New York: PowerKids, 2003. Print.

"The Story Of Italian Immigration." American Immigreation Law Foundation. Web. 03 Mar.        2012. <http://www.ailf.org/awards/benefit2004/ahp04essay.asp>.

The Footprints of Immigration by Dustine Emerson

Abstract

            The consequences of immigration, both positive and negative, are present everywhere. The same showed true of immigrants who entered the U.S. in the 1980s and 90s. Migrants overwhelmingly affected the environment negatively upon entering, adopting, and mixing their high fertility rate with a highly destructive culture. These damaging beliefs effect more than just the United States, but everyone involved in trading. The carrying capacities of multiple regions of the world are in danger as a result. By providing viable solutions, not only would carrying capacity be stabilized and conditions of third-world countries improved, American culture could become less harsh to the land we humans call home.

The Footprints of Immigration

            America was built from immigrants crossing oceans to settle upon the blessed lands of North America. These immigrants were seeking an opportunity for a new life and newfound freedom. As they came, they spread throughout the countryside, desperate for enough land to feed their families. As time elapsed, crafts expanded and settlers could earn more money. People became rich and eagerly wanted more. More money, more land, and a higher standard of living were a few things that they sought. When newer technology was developed, such as cars and televisions, and became affordable for the average American, many people purchased them without much thought of the environment. When this breakthrough of technology expanded, modern America was born. People pursued bigger, better, and cheaper items.

            The impact of immigration on the country has always been felt. The vast majority of immigrants came to the United States looking for something better than what they left behind. They did not always leave everything behind though. What these newcomers brought helped to create a vast pool of swirling ideologies. As they mixed, they developed, for better or worse, into the culture that was present at one time in the 1980s and 90s. Indeed, this new culture helped increase environmental degradation by both immigrants and natives. As a result, fundamental environmental ecosystems are in threat of destruction. Together, peoples of the past could have placed the world on a path of success by reducing U.S. consumption and aiding in finding solutions for problems faced by needy nations.

Immigration into the country has been on a constant climb throughout the time period. According to Julian Simon, author of pro-immigration Population Matters, illegal immigration ceased to exist from 1977 to 1990 (265). During this time, immigration accounted for half of the country’s population growth, while the other half was comprised of all births (Scheider). A contributor of this growth was immigration exceeding emigration by nearly eight times (DinAlt). Undoubtedly, “the American population, almost uniquely in the developed world, continues to grow” (Brimelow 188).

            While immigration is by no means the primary source of America's environmental problems, it is a key contributor. According to Jason DinAlt, “by becoming Americans they [immigrants] adopt the consumption and pollution patterns of the world’s most environmentally destructive lifestyle”. Most of these contributors came from ten countries: Russia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, China, India, the Dominican Republic, Korea, Jamaica, and Iran (DinAlt). These countries have contrasting lifestyles to that of the United States in terms of consumption. Of the ten countries sending the most immigrants, eight nations’ immigrants increased their energy consumption in excess of five hundred percent, six over a thousand. Though carbon dioxide production from land use decreased, it increased for every country as a result of the rise in industry (DinAlt). Food was no different. Cattle and fish consumption also rose for all but Russia, ranging from sixty to 1,648 percent (DinAlt). Individually, these statistics might not seem like much, but considering the number of people who have migrated, they might be surprising.

The more dramatic statistics concern pesticide use and car use. Though pesticide use decreased for Russia by nineteen percent, other countries such as Vietnam saw an increase by an amazing 11,214 percent. Finally, regarding car usage, many immigrants lacked vehicles in their home county, or they were not widely used. Of the top ten countries sending immigrants to the

U.S., every nation's immigrants saw an increase up to a staggering 32,350 percent (DinAlt).

Contributing to the surprising environmental impact of immigrants is their fertility rate. “The heaviest load most immigrants place on the environment is their high birth rate” (DinAlt). While America was at replacement fertility during the 80s and 90s, other countries were above this level, meaning more children were being born from immigrants. If their children have the same birth rate, population growth increases exponentially.

The immigrants themselves cannot be forgotten. They, too, contributed to America’s population growth. Impact increases, even if consumption was to decrease, since population growth increases (Schneider). The President's Council on Sustainable Development stated in 1996 that "stabilizing the population without changing consumption and waste production patterns would not be enough; neither would action on consumption and waste without efforts to stabilize population. Each is necessary; neither is sufficient" (Schneider). Culture affected the environment just as much as immigration.

American culture consists of people who constantly want more of everything. This destructive culture has consumed massive amounts of vegetation, animals, and animal products, and has produced mountains of waste. Born in the 1990s, a baby in this country is destined to produce 26.4 million pounds of waste, whether it is atmospheric, solid, or liquid. That same child will end up eating, on average, 116.6 thousand pounds of vegetation and animal products. The child will consume an additional two thousand animals. On top of waste and food, 7.03 million kilowatt-hours of electricity are estimated to be generated in order to support his or her lifestyle (Hall). To provide for new homes, additional roads, schools, and other services, not including land for crops and cattle, approximately one acre was destroyed for each fresh immigrant (DinAlt). When immigrants change their lifestyles from a shortage to abundance by migrating to another area, that new area’s carrying capacity becomes threatened.

Carrying capacity is defined as “the number of people who can be sustainably supported

in a given area” (Population-Environment Balance, Inc, emphasis added). This definition includes the ability for the land to supply resources needed for life, most importantly, water, food, and shelter (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). As immigrants entered the U.S., demand for these and other resources increased. As a result, degradation around the world rose, strengthening the desire for more immigrants to leave their nations (Schneider). This process exemplifies the positive feedback loop, which leads to exponential growth (Schneider). 

Carrying capacity possesses the ability to change with the surrounding environment. As resources are depleted or degraded, carrying capacity decreases. When the resources are moved from one area to another, the carrying capacity of the area from which the resources were transferred also decreases while the other location’s carrying capacity either remains the same or has an unstable increase (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). “The problem is that . . . such migration not only threatens the carrying capacity of the destination countries, but also creates the harmful illusion that continued population growth is an acceptable option” (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). Ireland suffered a similar problem multiple times with the potato famines. When Ireland introduced the potato in the 18^th century, carrying capacity temporarily increased as many saw the benefits of the new crop. When the crops failed repeatedly, the carrying capacity quickly fell below the population level. As a result, many perished and mass migrations occurred (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). Something very similar could happen to any country around the world if it exceeds carrying capacity. In fact, it already happens. Animals commonly exceed their carrying capacity in ecosystems, and large die-backs reduce their populations, consequently creating a lower carrying capacity.

It would be wrong to say that U.S. immigration was effected solely through environmental conditions (Political Research Associates). Social unrest and economic instability also influence immigration (Political Research Associates). Even so, no matter the cause, immigration to America has important environmental consequences. It would also be wrong to say supporters of immigration are not correct, to a degree. They place not even the slightest blame on immigration. They are quick to point at the “Anti-Immigrant Right," the government, and corporations (Political Research Associates). It is true that all three have contributed to environmental problems. But looking closer, not everyone on the Right is anti-immigrant. In particular, corporations make products as demand increases. A larger domestic market, which is increased through immigration, contributes to this increase in demand.

Though a British immigrant himself, Peter Brimelow has been a strong supporter of immigrant restrictions. Brimelow is the editor of the anti-immigrant website VDARE.com (HarperCollins Publishers). Despite the fact many radicals see some of his conclusions as racist, he cleverly used social, economic, political, and environmental reasoning in his national best-seller Alien Nation (Brimelow x). In his book, Brimelow explains that one of the problems is the fact that “Washington’s immigration and environmental policies are working in opposite directions” and suggests that if they work together, they could achieve common goals (188).

Had the two groups worked together in the past, leaders could have started an agenda to stabilize population growth and resource use. Perhaps the most critical is the notion that immigrants should have been encouraged to stay in their countries. The majority of immigrants were young and eager to work. Many of these “possess[ed] extensive educations, and professional capabilities in greater proportions than the native labor force” but still decided to emigrate (Simon 268-269). This emigration is problematic. Many who left their countries were “the politically dissatisfied or economically unfulfilled” (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). They should have been improving standards in their home countries. These are the people that should have stayed home since they are the type of people who carry the most motivation. They could have used this motivation could be used to solve the problems they faced by raising standards and subsequently reducing birth rate.

In addressing the problem today, international aid by first-world countries must be increased and made more effective in reaching these goals to help these motivated individuals further reduce population growth and improve sustainability (Schneider). Yet, encouraging immigrants to stay home does not end immigration. Consider carrying capacity once again. The amount that can be sustained in an area is constant, unless other environmental factors are at work. There is always migration, including emigration. Immigration should be equal to the level of emigration, not necessarily eliminated (Population-Environment Balance, Inc). Equally important, America’s consumption as a percentage of global consumption must be decreased. After all, twenty five percent of the world’s population consumed roughly seventy percent of all nonrenewable resources (International Fund for Agricultural Development). Concurrently, the United States used close to seventy seven times that of developing countries’ consumption of water (International Fund for Agricultural Development). Leon Bouvier and Lindsey Grant state through many graphical representations of U.S. projected population that birth rate and immigration must be reduced (Bouvier 114). At the time of their research, cutting immigration to two hundred thousand or even one million, in combination with lower birth rates, would still increase population until 2030 and 2050 respectively (111, 120). There is no question that

immigration should have been and still should be reduced to get the nation on track.

 Simply mentioning immigration reform makes one the target of multiple accusations by a variety of individuals. “One is labeled xenophobic, racist or worse” (113). Logically, immigration should have been reduced, but not necessarily eliminated. Immigration into America encourages adoption of a culture that is destructive to the environment. More people add to the destruction. Does this make immigrants the source of these problems? Absolutely not, but, nevertheless, their numbers have to decrease to prevent their addition to these environmental problems. Should they receive help and resources? Without question.

America has always been a beacon of great opportunity that many could only dream about. Together, immigrants created unbelievable diversities of religion, color, language, and culture. At the time, no one imaged filling the vast territories, for they were seen as a whole new world. Unfortunately, like a bathtub, the land filled and people began to build up. It is hard for some to believe, but no species can continue to build without possible consequences. The “next Irish potato famine” could be very near, and with ten billion or so people, there will be nowhere to flee. 

Works Cited

Bouvier, Leon F. and Lindsey Grant. How Many Americans? Population, Immigration, and the

            Environment. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1994. Print.

Brimelow, Peter. Alien Nation: Common Sense about America’s Immigration Disaster. New

            York: Random House, 1995. Print.

DinAlt, Jason. “The Environmental Impact of Immigration into the United States.” Carrying

            Capacity Network's Focus. Vol. 4, No. 2 (1997): n. pag. Web. 15 Mar. 2012.

            <http://www.carryingcapacity.org/DinAlt.htm>.

Hall, Charles A. S., et al. “The Environmental Consequences of Having a Baby in the United

            States.” Population and Environment. Vol. 15, No. 6 (1994): 509-510. Web. 24 Mar.

            2012. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/27503370?seq=5>.

HarperCollins Publishers. Peter Brimelow. 2012. harpercollins.com. Web. 25 Mar. 2012.

            <http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/1138/Peter_Brimelow/index.aspx>.

International Fund for Agricultural Development. Combating Environmental Degradation.

            ifad.org. Web. 25 Mar. 2012. <http://www.ifad.org/events/past/hunger/envir.html>.

Political Research Associates. Immigrants and the Environment. PRA, 2002. publiceye.org.

            Web. 24 Mar. 2012. <http://www.publiceye.org/ark/immigrants/Environment.html>.

Population-Environment Balance, Inc. “Why Excess Immigration Damages The Environment”.

Population and Environment. Vol. 13, No. 4 (1992): 303-312. Web. 25 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.jstor.org/stable/27503261?seq=1>.

Schneider, Dick. “Population Growth and the Environment.” SUSPS. (1998): n. pag. Web. 24

            Mar. 2012. <http://www.susps.org/ibq1998/discuss/growth.html>.

Simon, Julian L. Population Matters: People, Resources, Environment, and Immigration. New

            Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1990. Print.

Irish Immigrants in the 1800's by Sam Mayfield

ABSTRACT

I chose the topic of Irish immigrants in the 1800’s because it seemed interesting to me due to the fact that I believe some of my ancestors to be of Irish descent. This paper looks at reasons for Irish immigrants coming to the United states as well as the kind of life they faced here and the degree of prejudice that they had to put up with. The topic of the potato famine is briefly discussed along with some Irish political figures of the time.

 

Irish Immigrants in the 1800’s

            The Irish immigrants coming to the United States during the nineteenth century helped shape this country into what it is today. The Irish were a proud people that took pride in wherever the called home; whether that be the rolling hills of Ireland or the big cities of nineteenth century America and wherever they traveled, a rich culture was left in their wake. This culture can be seen in various establishments across America and is part of a rich heritage that the United States would not have today had it not been for the hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants that arrived during the 1800’s.

Irish immigrants entering the United States in the early 1800s were not of the poorest from the country of Ireland. The ten-guinea transatlantic fare was high enough that the majority of the Irish entering America were artisans or tenant farmers and would have had at least a moderate means of supporting themselves (McCaffery 59). This was not the case for everyone who was leaving Ireland. Most of the pre-1815 Irish Catholics to leave Ireland were poor and went to Britain instead of America because the fare was cheaper and they were closer to home (McCaffery 60). Some of these poor people were only in Britain temporarily. The harvest workers would work just long enough to make enough money to pay rent to their Irish landlordsbefore making the trip back to Ireland, while immigrants holding other jobs that were less seasonal would more often remain in Britain (McCaffery 60). After 1815, the pace of immigrants arriving to America from Ireland rapidly increased from less than 6,000 per year to more than 200,000 per year in 1850 (Irish Immigration). In an attempt to present an image of success, many immigrants would write home to their families and exaggerate how wonderful life in America was in their letters (McCaffery 61). This helped fuel the rapid increase of immigrants from Ireland because not only were their family members getting the impression that life in America was easy, they werereceiving money to pay for their ticket across the Atlantic. One immigrant, Margaret Wright, sent this in a letter to Alexander McNish in New York after receiving a letter from him telling about how great of a place America was to live:

“America with us bears the character of the land of freedom and of liberty and is accounted like the land of promise flowing with milk and honey. Thus how desirable would such a place be to those laboring under Egyptian bondage increasing and seemingly to increase every day without the smallest gleam of hope. Such is the state of this Countrey and such are our sentiments with respect to america. Now my desire is that you would Substantiate your former proposal & by some means or other procure me an entrance into that land of happiness where I might by industry obtain a competence in life without being dependent on the mercenary and covetous for a miserable and wretched support;”(Miller, Schrier, Boling, Doyle 46-47).

            With the establishment of a poor Irish-Americanculture in the United States, the amount of anti-Irish prejudice , which was already present, intensified to the point where it didn’t matter if the Irish had degrees or money, the Irish were still considered enemy aliens and targets of the American nativism culture[1] (McCaffery 85). New York in the late1830’s and early 1840’s was the staging ground for many intense emotional conflicts fought between the nativists and the Catholic Irish over which version of the Bible should be taught in public schools. The Irish, believing that the public school boards were dominated by evangelical Protestants, sought the freedom to cultivate their children’s faith as they saw fit (Kenny). To obtain this freedom, the Catholics established their own denominational schools and demanded state aid to fund them (McCaffery 91). By the mid 1830’s the nativists were openly attacking the Irish because of their faith. A convent was burned down in 1834 and in 1844 nativists burned down two Catholic churches in the dispute over which version of the bible, the Catholic one or the Protestant King James version, should be taught in school (Kenny).[2]

The year 1845 saw the beginning of the Irish Potato Famine, a time when nearly twenty percent of the population of Ireland died due to a fungus that caused the annual potato crops which seventy-five percent of the population relied on for sustenance to rot on the vine (O’Connor). More deaths occurred in Ireland during this time because of the famine than all of Britain lost in any war from 1688 to the present (O’Connor). The famine helped push some 1.8 million people, mostly poor farmers and laborers, out of Ireland and into Eastern Canada and the United states (The Story of Irish Immigration). Irish immigrants made up almost half of all immigrants entering the United States in the 1840s and by the 1850s that number had decreased to almost one-third but these figures are still remarkable due to the fact that Ireland is no larger than the state of Maine, nor has its population ever risen above 8.5 million people (Kenny).

            The replacement of traditional sailing vessels by steamship during the 1860’s made it possible for more and more immigrants to arrive yearly (O’Connor). A steamship shortened the travel time to fourteen days and improved travel conditions greatly (O’Connor).  After Irish emigration to the United States peaked during the famine, a steady flow of people continued to arrive to the United States throughout the last half of the nineteenth century. From 1870 to 1900, more than one and a half million Irish immigrants entered the United States, most of them into the harbor of New York City (McCaffery). During this time, Irish politicians had taken control of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that controlled much of the politics of New York City (irish American journey). In the year 1872, with Tammany Hall in control of Catholic politicians from or with Irish ancestry, Charles O’Conor was nominated for the Presidency of the United States by the “Straight-Out Democrats” who refused to accept Horace Greely, who was the regular Democratic candidate during this time (Griffin). Charles O’Conor was the first Catholic ever nominated for the Presidency, however, he declined to run (Griffin).

The Irish immigrants of the 1800’s were a hard working people that helped shape the way we live today. Had it not been for the Irish political leaders of the time, many prominent,historic government officials would not have made it into office and the United States would be a slightly different place than it is today because of this. The most notable changes would be in big cities such as New York where Tammany Hall was controlled by Irish political figures for many decades. Whether they were fleeing poverty only to end up in poverty, or fleeing starvation during the great potato famines, or just making the journey across the Atlantic to be with family and friends, hundreds of thousands of proud Irish Americans helped shaped this country into what it is today and the evidence is everywhere one looks.

Works Cited

Griffin, William D. The Irish in America, 550-1972; a Chronology & Fact Book. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, 1973. Print.

"Irish Immigration." Spartacus Educational. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAEireland.htm>.

Kenny, Kevin. "Irish Immigrants in the United States." America. 13 Feb. 2008. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.america.gov/st/peopleplace-english/2008/February/20080307131416ebyessedo0.6800043.html>.

McCaffrey, Lawrence John. The Irish Diaspora in America. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1976. Print.

Miller, Kerby A. Irish Immigrants in the Land of Canaan: Letters and Memoirs from Colonial and Revolutionary America, 1675-1815. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2003. Print.

O'Connor, Ray. "Irish Immigration." Bryant University. Apr. 1997. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://web.bryant.edu/~ehu/h364proj/sprg_97/oconner/index.htm>.

"The Story of Irish Immigration." Home for the Heart. Spring 2002. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ailf.org/exhibit/ex_irishim.htm>.

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[1] Immigrants born in America feeling as if they were superior to other immigrants

[2] The anti-Catholicism mindset remained a part of the American culture up until the 1960’s when John F. Kennedy was elected president of the United States

German Immigrant Influence on American Culture by Rachael Faulkenberry

ABSTRACT

            It is easy for Americans today to focus on the present day issues and, as a result, fail to acknowledge the history of how our culture was created. With many different countries entering the United States all at once, the American culture became an amalgamation of all different cultures. However, German culture stands apart from others as being one of the most prominent cultures that impacted American principles. The significant impact of beliefs, language, values, and traditions of the Germans on the American culture is a result of their wide diversity of talents and knowledge. In the following paper, one will find how Germany significantly changed the way we see America today, why its culture stood out amongst all the other cultures that entered the United States, as well as what the nation would look like today without German influence.

German Immigrant Influence on American Culture

In 1763, an ordinary German family gave birth to a man who would, one day, dramatically impact the business world. John Jacob Astor grew up helping his father in Waldorf, Germany selling milk until one day he moved to London to learn more about the international trade industry. In 1783, Astor moved to New York City and began to buy fur from the Native Americans. Once he saw how successful this industry was, John opened up the American Fur Company which expanded all across the country. By his death in 1848, John Jacob Astor had approximately $20 million (World Biography). This man who came from an ordinary family in Germany was able to expand his ideas in America and, as a result, is now looked on as a man who was able to change the way business in America is handled. John Jacob Astor is just one out of millions who brought his culture from Germany over to America and, as a result, significantly impacted America and how it runs today. By means of their language, wide variety of skills, customs and strength, German culture has made a significant impact on America.

            Beginning in the 18^th century, Germans began to feel the wrath of economic decline as well as religious and political persecution. Foreign companies began to impede on German markets, causing many German families to struggle to keep their business afloat (Immigration Library). In the 1800’s, “they also sought to escape the political unrest caused by riots, rebellion and eventually a revolution in 1848” (Irish and German Immigration). German families jumped at the opportunity to escape hardship in their homeland and come to the “land of opportunity”. Once in America, the Germans dispersed and planted their families all over the country. Although many moved to southern states such as Texas, the majority of German families lived in Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, Maryland, Virginia, and New York (Immigration Library). This unique society differs from other countries that had immigrants because, due to their wide variety of skills, Germans were able to live in cold weather, warm weather, major cities, or small towns (Newburg). As a result of the Germans moving to areas all over the country, their culture was integrated into the American system.     

            One way Germany has succeeded in embedding their culture in America’s culture is through the commercial industry. Immigrants from Germany included everyone from farmers to business men. If they were farmers, they typically moved to Texas, Kansas, and other mid-western states. If they were businessmen, they typically stayed in larger cities such as New York City, St. Louis or Pittsburgh. Many immigrants from countries other than Germany usually stayed in large groups and chose landscapes similar to their homeland’s to prosper. Consequently, their culture stayed mainly in one area in the U.S. rather than spreading all around the country. The Germans determination and skill diversity facilitated their impact on culture in America.

Although Germans were able to settle all across the country, they, like other immigrants stayed close together and formed small communities. In fact, “districts inhabited by German immigrants, usually called “Llittle Germanys.” were thriving with German American life in the 19^th century” (Moltmann and Hartmurt 145). By having these small areas in towns where everyone spoke the same language, Germans were able to do business and also have a social life that reflected their homeland culture (Moltmann and Hartmurt Germans to America). These small communities slowly began to expand and impact the cities in which they were located, allowing the German culture to become more prevalent in the United States (Moltmann and Hartmurt 150). One example of how these German towns are still prevalent to America today is the observation of the Amish belief. From all over the country, the Amish have exemplified the lifestyle of the Germans: independence and self-sufficiency (Amish People). They come from German descent and still uphold certain practices of Germany as well as speaking English and Pennsylvanian Dutch, a dialect of German with English combined). Although most Amish families reside in Pennsylvania, one can find large Amish communities in states such as Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa (Hostetler, The Mennonites and Amish). This present example of German life is just one of the many aspects brought from America to Germany. Not only were America’s commercial industries and towns affected by the Germans, but their language was also affected by the ever rising number of German immigrants.

            When mass groups from different countries immigrated to the new land (America), language barriers began to become increasingly prevalent. Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, as well as several other languages were compiled together into one country. Fortunately for the Germans, their widespread movement of families throughout America made German one of the most popular languages in the country. In the book Germans and the Americans, Frank Trommler and Joseph McVeigh state that

“a study sponsored by the American Council of Learned Societies established that in 1790 roughly 277,000 Americans were of German ancestry.... [also,] when asked about the ancestry in the 1980 census, 188 million Americans reported one or more ethnic ties. ‘Germany’ was the answer of more than 49.2 million persons, only slightly fewer than the 49.6 million who claimed English ancestry. Seventeen states along the northern tier of the United States, plus Alaska, had more persons listing Germany as the ancestral origin than any other country” (227).

The large percentage of Germans in America caused their language to be more prominent. Although German did not become the primary language in the U.S., it is still a common language today. German was actually one of the leading languages taught in most colleges and universities in the 1900’s. The German language impacted American culture by German named towns or ancestral prevalence. Many names such as Fredericksburg and New Berlin come from the German language (Trommler 238). Also, many in America study and speak the German language due to their ancestral background, causing business or communities to use German related terms or words (Trommler 238-239).

Germans successfully impacted American cuisine by introducing pastries, meats, and, most of all, beer. Food such as the bratwurst, pretzel, strudels, German chocolate cake, hot dogs, and sauerkraut are all German cuisines that are still served on Americans plates today. When the Germans immigrated to the U.S., they brought with them their homemade culinary recipes that quickly became incorporated within the American cuisine. Although beer was already introduced to America by the Europeans, Germans popularized the alcoholic drink by using technology and new techniques. Germans were able to adjust to the available tools in order to produce fine quality beer (German influence on American Culture, 18). Not only did Germans influence America’s culinary culture, they also impacted America’s holidays and social occasions (Mai, German Influence on American Culture).

            Unbeknown to many Americans today, many popular holidays and celebrations have strong German influenced backgrounds. After immigrating to the U.S., the wide spread of German towns created a base for the German culture to influence households with their unique traditions. Whether it was festivities or holiday practices, German culture quickly became integrated into each household in America. The largest German celebration held in America is the widely known Oktoberfest. This event began in Germany in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding (History of Oktoberfest). Since then, Oktoberfest has been celebrated every September/October. When the Germans immigrated to the U.S., they carried this festivity over to celebrate life and love. Every year, Americans join in the fun with carnival rides, German food, beer, and laughs. Another way German culture can be seen within America’s holiday celebrations are their personal touches found within holidays. For instance, German culture is evident within the Christmas season. Candles commonly found in windows as well as nativity scenes made out of wood or clay both have German roots. The biggest factor of Christmas that comes from Germany, however, is the common Christmas tree (German influence on American Culture 24-25). These two celebratory events are just a couple of the many holidays and traditions that have German backgrounds. Without the German traditions spreading throughout America, holidays today would look drastically different in American households. If German culture failed to influence American culture to the extent they did, the United State would look drastically different than what individuals see today.

            In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, valiant individuals made the intimidating but exciting journey to the “land of opportunity” in order to live a prosperous life as well as impact the world. Hundreds of years later, their traditions have become a common aspect of American culture. Whether it’s the business setting, language, food, or holidays, Americans cannot avoid strong German impacts on their culture. Without these integrated cultural similarities, the United States would not be as technologically advanced, their dialect would be altered, common foods such as the hot dog or beer would not be as common, and many holiday traditions would be non-existent. As a result of these contributions to America, German culture has dramatically impacted the way Americans live their life even to present day.

Works Cited

"Amish People...." Amish People: People Who Are Amish. Amish Country. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://www.amishcountryvirtualtours.com/amish_people.html>.

Hostetler, John A. "The Mennonites and Amish." Rpt. in Pennsylvania History. 3rd ed. Vol. 23. Penn State University, 1956. 330-34. Web. <http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.lib.uwf.edu/stable/27769666>

"Immigration Library." Energy of a Nation. The Advocates for Human Rights. Web. 24 Mar. 2012. <http://www.energyofanation.org/4e667f77-e302-4c1a-9d2e-178a0ca31a32.html?nodeid=>.

"Irish and German Immigration." Irish and German Immigration [ushistory.org]. U.S. History Online Textbook. Web. 24 Mar. 2012. <http://www.ushistory.org/us/25f.asp>.

Newburg , Maddison. "Irish and German Immigration into the United States." Suite101.com. 12 Dec. 2010. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. <http://maddison-newburg.suite101.com/irish-and-german-immigration-into-the-unites-states-a319846>.

Mai, Sesiunea. "German Influence on American Culture (ATESTAT ENGLEZA)." Scribd. 2008. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. <http://www.scribd.com/doc/4366552/German-Influence-on-American-CultureATESTAT-ENGLEZA>.

Moltmann, Günter, and Hartmut Bickelmann. Germans to America: 300 Years of Immigration, 1683 to 1983. Stuttgart: Published by Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations in cooperation with Inter Nationes, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, 1982. Print.

 "Munich's Oktoberfest History Page." OFEST.COM. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ofest.com/history.html>.

 Trommler, Frank, and Joseph McVeigh. America and the Germans: An Assessment of a Three-Hundred-Year History. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1985. Print.

"World Biography." John Jacob Astor Biography. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. <http://www.notablebiographies.com/An-Ba/Astor-John-Jacob.html>.

Welcome to Perspectives

"Perspectives” is an online journal whose goal is twofold:
first, to provide new and emerging writers a forum in which they may present their work; and second to provide readers, both those who enjoy history and those who have yet to discover historical writing, access to material that may pique their interest in historical characters or periods, especially those which may have been obscured or overlooked by mainstream understanding and study of history.

Join us!
"Becoming Americans: Immigration over the Centuries"
Conference style presentation of our final papers will be
Monday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 25
1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:45
Papers will be presented in a panel format
followed by time for
questions and answers from the audience
Building 11, Room 217

Conference Title:
"Becoming Americans: Immigration over the Centuries"
Course Topic: Immigration

This journal was originally created as a graduate project for a 2011 Creative Writing workshop on publishing. It has since been revamped to give Composition II students at the Univeristy of West Florida a forum to present their final papers. Selected papers from the M-W courses taught by Beth Rodgers will be presented as individual entries in this journal (see the table of contents to the right under "Blog Archive").

Theme for this section of Comp II was published as follows: Immigration: Ellis Island and Beyond. "Although the issue of immigration is currently a ‘hot topic’ dividing those who are citizens against newcomers, we are, in fact, a nation of immigrants. Our exploration of the theme of immigration will include not only the immigrant’s motivations and experiences, but also how the concept of being an immigrant has evolved and changed over the years."

Our focus for the beginning of this course revolved around the history of immigration to the United States. Students were divided into groups and each group created a powerpoint presentation, an outline and a handout covering one century of immigration to America (1600's, 1700's, 1800's, and 1900's). They were asked to focus on a variety issues and research into the historical, sociological, and even the biological aspects of becoming an American, including but not exclusively through the gateway of Ellis Island. From this broad base of information, students were asked to focus on one idea on which they would write their final paper. We have undertaken this topic as follows:

• viewed ABC News 20/20 documentary “Is America Number One?”(John Stossel, 1999);
• considered first person accounts of immigrants and created profiles;
• viewed the film Gangs of New York (Martin Scorsese);
• viewed the documentary "Dying to Get In" (2007);
• read and discussed the essay “The Great Divider” by George Saunders (as published in Braindead Megaphone).

Students were given the option to research and write on any era or any topic with the requirement that immigration or an immigrant had to play a central role in their research and their final paper. The contents of this journal represents the best work of the students in two sections of UWF Composition II, Spring 2012.

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Disclaimer: This blog journal is being revised as a project for Composition II, University of West Florida, Spring 2012. All papers published remain the sole property of the authors who indiviually retain the ownership of their intellectual property. Papers may not be copied for the purpose of plagiarism; such acts are governed by the University of West Florida and violators are subject to UWF rules. All material contained herein is covered by laws established under U.S. Copyright. All general blog contents (comments and introductions) are 2012 copyrighted by the editor.