Immigrant Backlash

       By 1850, Irish immigrants made up 43% of all foreign born residents of the United States. Many of the Irish immigrants came to learn that moving to the U.S. to  escape the horrors of a famine stricken Ireland would come at a costly price.
     Competition for working class jobs created animosity among the working class towards the immigrants. Many Protestant Americans became suspicious of Catholic immigrants and believed that their was a Catholic conspiracy to take over the United States.  As Catholic Churches and schools began to be constructed in many cities, some Americans felt that it was a clear sign that the Pope was staking a claim in the U.S.  Frustrated and suspicious Americans began to form political parties such as the Nativist and Know Nothing Party that sought to remove immigrants from the United States and pass anti-Irish and anti-Catholic laws.  
   
    For H.W. I would like you to read the handout on the Backlash to Irish Immigrants and then answer the following questions.


1. What were two ways in which the media negatively portrayed Irish immigrants?

2. The reading mentioned that the Irish were slow to assimilate.  Define assimilate, then explain how ethnic neighborhoods would slow down assimilation for a group.


3. Why do you think Catholic Churches and schools were targeted by anti-immigration groups in Northern cities?