As well as religious differences, the new immigrants faced stereotypes that ‘Clashed’ with Protestant American values. These stereotypes were highlighted to put down the Irish immigrant community and were created out of fear because these Irish immigrants challenged for job openings. The Irish immigrants were stereotyped as barbaric, unskilled, impoverished and unpolished. Anti-Irish cartoons for magazines such as Harper's Weekly featured cartoons by Thomas Nast and depicted Irish immigrants as ape-like barbarians prone to lawlessness, laziness and drunkenness. 4 The stereotype of unintelligence also sparked controversy around political movements such as the nativist movement to try and limit Irish and immigrant influence in political races.
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In 1849 The Order of the Star-Spangled Banner, a clandestine society of nativists, emerged; its members pledged to only support native-born Protestants for public office, to fight the Roman Catholic Church and to support an obligatory 21-year waiting period for naturalization. This society, later reformed into the American party, when asked about their anti-immigrant activities would simply reply "I know nothing," earning them the name the Know-Nothings. This party with its motto "Americans Shall Rule America" 7 won many city and state elections throughout the 1850s. This ‘know nothing’ party also contributed to employment discrimination on the east coast. Businesses hung up ‘NO IRISH NEED APPLY’ 5 signs to coincide with the …show more content…
Irish influence also allowed for more acceptance towards the Catholic Church. By 1884 Boston and New York both had Irish Catholic mayors. Irish-American political clout led to increased opportunities for the Irish-American. Looking out for their own, the political machines made it possible for the Irish to get jobs, to deal with naturalization issues, even to get food or heating fuel in emergencies. The political machines also rewarded their own through political appointments. In 1855, "...nearly 40% of New York City's policemen were immigrants, and about three-fourths of these immigrants were Irish."[Wittke, The Irish in America]. 3 The largest Irish American achievement was the election of John F Kennedy. JFK was a monumental figure for Irish Americans who protected their interest. Kennedy who served in WW2 also evaporated any doubts from Americans who questioned his patriotism because he was an Irish
In 1849 The Order of the Star-Spangled Banner, a clandestine society of nativists, emerged; its members pledged to only support native-born Protestants for public office, to fight the Roman Catholic Church and to support an obligatory 21-year waiting period for naturalization. This society, later reformed into the American party, when asked about their anti-immigrant activities would simply reply "I know nothing," earning them the name the Know-Nothings. This party with its motto "Americans Shall Rule America" 7 won many city and state elections throughout the 1850s. This ‘know nothing’ party also contributed to employment discrimination on the east coast. Businesses hung up ‘NO IRISH NEED APPLY’ 5 signs to coincide with the …show more content…
Irish influence also allowed for more acceptance towards the Catholic Church. By 1884 Boston and New York both had Irish Catholic mayors. Irish-American political clout led to increased opportunities for the Irish-American. Looking out for their own, the political machines made it possible for the Irish to get jobs, to deal with naturalization issues, even to get food or heating fuel in emergencies. The political machines also rewarded their own through political appointments. In 1855, "...nearly 40% of New York City's policemen were immigrants, and about three-fourths of these immigrants were Irish."[Wittke, The Irish in America]. 3 The largest Irish American achievement was the election of John F Kennedy. JFK was a monumental figure for Irish Americans who protected their interest. Kennedy who served in WW2 also evaporated any doubts from Americans who questioned his patriotism because he was an Irish