The massive immigration into the United States is attributed to the oppression that the colonial administration was perpetrating in Ireland. It is pertinent to note that their love for handwork was never diminished by the actions of the oppressors. On arrival in U.S, the Irish engaged in agricultural activities. They had enormous skills acquired during the process of commercialization of agriculture in Ireland. The Irish had also endured multiple hardships in their home country and were used to the aspect of resource optimization. It is evident that in their motherland adequate agricultural land was a contentious issue. However, in the United States there was adequate land for their agricultural activities. Equipped with the agricultural skills they had they were able to become leading farmers in the areas they settled. Moreover, the demand for effective farming techniques made them popular in the society. They also participated in the development of infrastructure in different parts of America.
Their contribution to the construction industry in America was highly regarded. Their quest for jobs and determination to deliver quality labor offered an opportunity for infrastructural development in areas like New York Pennsylvania. They were involved in the construction of the Erie Canal, which was then recognized as an inspiring engineering project.
The unified ethnic bloc of political power
In their early years of settlement, it was evident that the Irish were disposable in different infrastructural and manufacturing projects. They were considered inferior and lazy and their quest for low pleasures like gambling betrayed them further. Their conflict with blacks over jobs was one of the unifying factors. However, during the civil war when emancipation was eminent the Irish joined hands to fight for their rights. Regulations requiring people to enlist in the army or pay a fee resulted to many Irish men joining the army. This was one of their pillars in years to come to unite and create a powerful political bloc (Takaki 187).
Works Cited
Takaki, Ronald T.. A different mirror for young people: a history of multicultural America. New York: Seven Stories Press, 2012. Print.
