Mexican and Irish immigrants in early American history

Chinese, Japanese and Mexican Immigration

This paper discusses a number of different historical events that had an impact on Mexican-Americans and the Irish. As we are talking about: specific incidents and the effect on immigration. In the second part, we compare the two groups of immigrants and their contributions with one another. This is the point that the reader will have a greater appreciation in how they have become a part of American society.

Identify the following for their ID's and Historical Context

1790 Naturalization Law: This was the first law that was passed by Congress in regards to who is considered to be an American citizen to include: white persons and someone of good moral character. This is significant, because it is showing how this was an attempt to deal with immigration. Yet, it did not offer any kind of protections or incentives to any minority group.

The Irish and the Democratic Party: The Irish were known for having tremendous connections to the Democratic Party during the 19th and 20th century. This helped to increase their assimilation into American culture and it is illustrating how they are becoming a growing political force.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: This was the largest industrial accident that occurred in New York City on March 25, 1911. As a fire was started in a garment factory, based upon a cigarette butt that was placed in the scape materials that were supposed to have been thrown out. The aftermath of these events, is that the overcrowded conditions and lack of alarms or safety protections contributed to severity of the fire. This is significant, because it is showing the kinds of conditions that many immigrants endured.

The Immigration Act of 1924: This law placed strict limitations on the total number of immigrants to 2% of the population in the 1890 census. It is significant, because this is one of many regulations that were designed to use quotas to control the amount of individuals entering the country.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: This is the peace treaty that was signed between the United States and Mexico to end the Mexican-American War. As, the U.S. received large amounts of territory to cease hostilities including the states of: Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Nevada. This is significant, because it would make the America into a major world power that dominated Mexico. Over the course of time, this helped to fuel increased amounts of immigration.

1903 Oxnard Strike: The Oxnard strike occurred when Japanese and Mexican immigrants joined together to form a union against the Western Agricultural Contracting Company. As, they were demanding that several different conditions must be met by management to include: improved wages, the ability to shop outside of the company store and less subcontracting. After the death of one the workers during a violent confrontation, the company agreed to the demands of employees. This is significant, because it is showing the struggle that immigrants were going through to have better working conditions and compensation.

1907 Gentlemen's Agreement: This is an agreement between the U.S. And Japan. As, both countries banned any kind of immigration from Japan. This was accomplished by having the Japanese government not issuing passports to anyone wishing to travel to America. The significance of this, helped to establish policies that limited immigration based upon the national origin.

1933 San Joaquin Valley Strike: This strike occurred in response to the working conditions in the cotton fields and orchards of Southern California. As Mexican immigrants, were upset that they were forced to work longer hours in harsh conditions. After violence flared up during one incident, is when businesses began to support the deportation of migrant workers back to their own country. This is significant, because it is showing how these events would lead to even greater enforcement and restrictions placed on the activities of immigrants.

Part B

Compare and Contrast the Experiences of Irish-Americans with that of Mexican-Americans

Over the decades, immigration has been a key in helping to make the U.S. A true melting pot. Part of the reason for this, is because each ethic groups brings with them specific customs and traditions that add to the American experience. As their ideas and practices, are embraced by popular culture because of these contributions. Evidence of this can be seen with the fact that everyone celebrates St. Patrick's Day and the popularity of foods such as burritos / tacos. This is important, because it is showing how the contributions of immigrants are adding to the cultural diversity of America. To fully understand how this is taking place requires comparing the Irish to the Mexican immigrants. Once this occurs, is when we can see the overall contributions of both groups to American culture.

The Mexicans

The wave of Mexican immigration started in 1876. This is when the dictator Porifoiro Diaz began to have closer ties with the United States. As, the country started to move beyond an agricultural-based society to one that could provide America with vast amounts of natural resources and a source of cheap labor. The combination of these factors meant that there would be increased amounts of immigration from Mexico. At first, many of the Mexican immigrants came to the U.S. To work as farm hands or in a domestic capacity. However, as more came to the nation, they began to spend longer amounts of time working in different regions. This meant that they limited their trips back to Mexico and they became a part of American society. As many of these individuals and their children, were fluent in English along with America traditions. ("El Norte")

At the same time, there were also tremendous amounts of poverty and civil wars that helped to fuel more immigration. This created a desire among many individuals, to do anything to escape these harsh conditions. Once this occurred, it meant that the total amounts of illegal immigration began to increase exponentially. These different elements are important, because they are showing how war, economics and demand from American businesses helped to fuel immigration from Mexico. ("El Norte")

When you compare the Irish with the Mexicans, it is clear that both were coming to the nation in search of greater economic opportunities and out of survival. However, beyond these generalities the Irish came to America based on a potato famine. While Mexicans, were trying to escape the civil war and violence. In the case of economic opportunities, both groups saw the ability to have a better life in comparison with their current situation. The difference is that the Irish were seeking to escape the repressive policies of the British. Whereas the Mexicans, were seeking out these opportunities based on the tremendous amounts of demand for their services inside the U.S. These factors are important, because they are showing how both groups came to the U.S. For many of the same reasons. This will shaped their views about America and their role within society. ("El Norte")

As a result, the incidents that were discussed earlier (including: the 1790 Naturalization Law, the role of the Irish in the Democratic Party, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, the Immigration Act of 1924, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the 1903 Oxnard Strike, the 1907 Gentlemen's Agreement and the 1933 San Joaquin Valley Strike) are illustrating the challenges that both groups went through. This is in response to the unique culture these individuals are bringing with them. While at the same time, this is highlighting how there is need for society have these people provide some kind of a service (such as cheap labor). Over the course of time, these two factors have meant that immigrants and their customs would become a part of American culture.