HIST147 Historical Documents – Irish and German Immigration (10 points)

Due: May 5 by 11:59pm (post response to Canvas)

Instructions

Before students read the historical documents, they should read the brief background on Irish and German Immigration (entitled “Irish and German Immigration – Background” and located in the Week Five module). The historical documents (entitled “Irish and German Immigration – Documents” and located in the Week Five module) provide insight into the immigrant experience in the mid-19th century (1800s). Students should read all three documents and provide a written response to each of the assignment questions (see below).

The response for each question should be at least 150 words. Students are welcome to go over the minimum word count requirement. If you include the question in your response, it does not count toward the word count requirement. The response should be written in complete sentences. The response should be written in your own words. DO NOT use quotes from the historical documents.

These responses will be evaluated on how well the responses reflect the information presented in the historical documents.

Students should submit their responses as ONE Word doc or PDF file to Canvas.

Assignment Questions

1. What were problems facing newly arriving immigrants? What was the basis for Americans’ hostility toward the Irish in particular?

2. What steps did aid societies take to help newly arriving immigrants? How effective were these aid societies?

Background information and the historical documents are in separate files in the Week Five module.