Ethnic Politics Paper Assignment Trace The Political History

Ethnic Politicspaper Assignmenttrace The Political History In The Unit

Trace the political history in the United States of an ethnic/religious group of your choosing. Be sure to include; how/why they originally came to America, their status in American society and their attempts to improve/maintain that status. The paper should be typed, double spaced, and 5-7 pages long (not including title page, bibliography, etc.). The paper should be well cited with proper notes (foot, end, etc.) and must include a bibliography and a title page. Please include page numbers.

Your sources should include scholarly works. Newspaper and magazine articles and Internet sources while acceptable should not be relied upon exclusively. Rough drafts are encouraged. The paper is due on Monday, 11/30.

Paper For Above instruction

The political history of Irish Americans provides a compelling example of how an ethnic group’s struggle for social and political recognition shaped their integration into American society. Irish immigrants first arrived in large numbers during the mid-19th century, driven by economic hardship, political turmoil, and the Great Famine (1845-1852) that devastated Ireland. This mass migration was motivated by the search for economic opportunity and safety, with many Irish settling in urban centers such as New York, Boston, and Chicago (Kenny, 1995).

In the United States, Irish immigrants faced significant discrimination and social marginalization. They were often depicted as drunken, unruly, and inferior, facing restrictive employment opportunities and societal exclusion. Despite these challenges, the Irish community established its own social, political, and religious institutions, such as Catholic churches and mutual aid societies, which fostered community cohesion and opposition to discrimination (Kenny, 1990).

One of the most pivotal aspects of Irish political engagement in America was their involvement in urban politics, particularly in forming political machines like Tammany Hall in New York City. These organizations provided a means for Irish Americans to gain political power and influence, securing jobs, social services, and recognition for their community. The Irish political machine operated through patronage and clientelism, which, while criticized, allowed Irish Americans to ascend from marginalization to significant political actors (Lewis, 1980).

Over time, Irish Americans worked to improve their social status through negotiation and integration. They slowly gained acceptance in broader society, with many Irish moving up the socio-economic ladder, entering the professions, and participating in mainstream political processes. Their efforts culminated in the election of Irish Americans to prominent political offices, including mayors and representatives, symbolizing their successful political mobilization (Fitzpatrick, 1990).

These political developments were also influenced by shifts in American attitudes towards ethnicity and religion. The Irish community’s persistent efforts to combat prejudice, combined with their strategic political engagement, contributed to their gradual acceptance and integration into American civic life. Today, Irish Americans are recognized as a prominent ethnic group with a rich political heritage that reflects resilience and adaptive strategies in the face of adversity (Gleeson, 2005).

References

• Fitzpatrick, J. (1990). The Irish in American Politics: From Alien to Citizen. Irish Academic Press.
• Gleeson, J. G. (2005). Irish America: Coming of Age. Praeger Publishers.
• Kenny, K. (1990). The American Irish: A Political History. Harvard University Press.
• Kenny, K. (1995). The American Irish: A Political History. Oxford University Press.
• Lewis, R. W. B. (1980). Remembering Tammany Hall: A Memoir of Politics in New York. University of Chicago Press.