Mischievous strangers: the influence of Irish catholic immigrants on New York City politics, 1840-1860

Abstract

Between 1830 and 1860 almost two million Irish immigrants arrived in the US, a trend that was initially driven by economic necessity but was given momentum by the impact of the Great Famine. The vast majority were Roman Catholics, arriving in a country which was underpinned by a Protestant ethos that had been refreshed by the Second Great Awakening. New York City, the country’s fastest growing metropolis was the chosen destination for many Irish Catholic immigrants, who embraced urban living despite predominantly rural roots. As a result, by 1860, New York City boasted over 200,000 Irish-born inhabitants or 25 per cent of the city’s population, a percentage that rose to over 30 per cent if second and third generation Irish were included. The arrival of so many Irish Catholic immigrants in such a short space of time added to the existing sense of bewilderment that many Americans felt because of rapid social economic and political change. Furthermore, Irish Catholic immigrants arriving in the city had already undergone a political awakening having participated in Daniel O’Connell’s campaign in Ireland for Catholic emancipation.

Consequently, they quickly recognised the possibility of politics in their new home and became an increasingly influential constituency in the city. This thesis examines how this large ethnic group developed an increasingly influential role at the ballot box in New York City’s municipal and state elections, the greatest beneficiary being the Democratic Party. However, it also establishes that their influence stretched way beyond the ballot box. The perceived threat posed by this large and politically active ethnic group influenced the behaviour of other participants in New York City politics, including individual politicians, political parties and governing bodies at both city and state level. This in turn contributed to the upheaval in US politics in the antebellum period and the end of the Second Party system.