Irish Americans Migration: Many Irish migrated from the island of Ireland, during the time of The Great

Irish Famine and Land Wars. They came to American for a better life. Annexation: Many Irish would continue practice their religion, Irish Catholic, and trying to become part of America. Many tried to work and create better lives for their families. Colonization: along with many other immigrants, the Irish would form gangs. These immigrants would stay with their own minority. The natural born citizens (Natives) often showed racism to these other subordinate groups.

Consequences: Extermination: Many of the Irish were killed. Some of the natural born citizens would offer protection and safety for a fee. Expulsion: Children of adults that who were killed were sent to orphanages. Many adults werent allowed to practice their religion choices. Secession: Many of the adults would go into hiding. Irish and other subordinate groups would stay with their fellow group members. Segregation: Many subordinate groups were outcast. During this time Africans were still considered slaves and were not allowed to join most other groups. Irishman who wouldnt practice Irish Catholic religion was allowed to be around the natural born citizens (Natives). Anyone claiming legions to Ireland were either killed or would have to go into hiding. Fusion: Many Irishman would form legions with the Natives. They would serve the Natives by becoming bodyguards, run errands, or anything else the Natives wanted. Assimilation: After the death of Irish leaders, many of the Irish would become servants for the Natives. This was the only way to ensure their safety and their family safety.

Many of the Irish were from different parts of Ireland and came over on boats. Most of the Irish settled in New York, in an area called The 5 Points. The 5 Points consisted of five streets: Mulberry, Cross, Worth, Orange, and Little Water. Now the area is known as Lower Manhattan.

It was the 1840s in the state of New York, in an area that they call The 5 Points, known now as Lower Manhattan. The Ireland citizens were tired of the war and famine that took place in our country so we made the journey across the sea to a better life. When the boats dock, many of us were met with harsh

words, objects being thrown at us, and racism from the Natives. There are poster everywhere; An Irish Invasion. While the North invades the south, the Irish invade New York. Talk about locusts! Irish and more Irish, this year we have whole shiploads of them (Scorsese, 2003). Many of the Irish that came over before us lived in fear, hatred, and were under control of the Natives. Like many others we separated in our different minority groups. There were many different ethnic groups from: Irish, German, Italians, Chinese, and Africans. We all stick to our own kind, mainly for protection. As a young child, my family was a religious. We practice Irish Catholic. Many of the Natives didnt approve of our religious choice. There came a breaking point, were the Irish citizens didnt want to be under the control of the Native gangs. We finally decided to make a stand. There are conflict perspectives between all the minority groups. Some of these minority groups cooperated with each other and challenged the Native gangs. There are many up-rising between the different minority groups. Another poster that was displayed is Battle of 5 points. Great Native victory over the foreign invader. Native Americans beware of foreign influence (Scorsese, 2003). When both parent dies and a child has no other family members, the child is sent to an orphanage. Many politicians would use the boss of these gangs to help with their political careers, by buying the bosses services to get the different minority groups to vote for them. Many of the upper class Natives wouldnt enter the streets were the lower class immigrants and Natives lived. Many of the minority groups would have to pay a fee to the Natives to be left alone. This money was earned by working or stealing. During the 1860s, the Civil War happened. Because of the lack of volunteers serving in the war, there was a draft. When immigrants came off the ships, military personal were there waiting for them. The immigrants were given notices about the draft and the greatness of volunteering in the military. There would be three meals an day and a bonus to sign up and serve. If someone didnt volunteer than you were ordered register for the draft. The only way to ensure ones safety of not being drafted was to pay a fee of $300. This was when the Enrollment Act (1863) (Conscription Act) was created. Most people didnt have to money to pay. More than 40,000 men were drafted into the war, many New York natives and immigrants names were picked to serve. Then there was New York Draft Riots of 1863. When the military began calling names for the draft people went crazy. Family and friends of the draftees started rioting homes, businesses, and the streets. Innocent people of all minorities were killed, military personal were killed. Torches were thrown into buildings. Newscasts were wired all over the country. Police couldnt control the mobs. The military finally took control of the streets. Warnings were made to the crowds to disperse or the military would start firing. The mobs stood their grounds. Naval ships shot cannons from the piers into The 5 Points to help control and disperse the mobs. There was rioting for four days and nights. Many friends were killed. With everything that happened to my family and friends I have but one quote to leave you: The past is the torch that lights our way. Where our fathers have shown us the path, we shall follow. Our faith is the weapon most feared by our enemies, for thereby shall we lift our people up against those who would destroy us. Our name is called The Dead Rabbits to remind all of our suffering and as a call to those suffer still to join our ranks, however so far they may have strayed from our common home across

the sea. For with great numbers must come great strength and the salvation of our people (Scorsese, 2003). References

Scorsese, M. (Director). (2003). Gangs of New York [Motion Picture].