Why did the Irish want to come to America?
During the 1820s through the 1880s, about 3.5 million Irish people immigrated to the United States, according to the ThinkQuest website. Many families immigrated because Ireland was experiencing political, economic and social problems during the late 19th century.Potato FamineDuring the Potato Famine, many of Ireland’s potato crops rotted and started to spread fungal infections, starting in 1845, according to The History Place website. As a result, large numbers of people in Ireland suffered from diseases, including cholera, dysentery and typhus. Irish people also starved because potatoes served as a major food source in Ireland, states the Digital History website. Economic hardship forced many Irish families to immigrate to the United States.WorkDuring the 1810s through the 1860s, some Irish people immigrated to the United States to work on the construction of railroads, canals and other structures. Other Irish people found work as farmers or coal miners.Political IssuesAfter the Napo
