Irish Immigrants Assessment

Which event made one million Irish people leave Ireland in the mid-1800s?

• the Black Death

• World War I

• the American Civil War

• the Great Famine

After arriving in America, where did many Irish move to?

• the country

• major American cities

• southern states

• areas west of the Mississippi River

Read the sentences:

"Many businesses that did need workers posted signs that said they were hiring, but added 'Irish need not apply' if they did not feel as though they were too desperate for laborers. Examples like these of pure hatred towards Irish immigrants have drawn comparisons to the American treatment of blacks at the time, which was still before The Civil War had been fought and the Emancipation Proclamation written."

This evidence supports which of the following conclusions about how the Irish were viewed in America at this time?

• The Irish were well-respected members of society.

• The Irish were considered to be the part of the lower classes of society.

• The Irish were hated more than the blacks in society.

• The Irish were considered slaves.

What effect have the Irish had on American history?

• The Irish had a very minimal effect on American history.

• The Irish had a major effect on American history, from the Civil War to current politics.

• The Irish had an effect only in American cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.

• The Irish only had negative effects on American history.

What is the main idea of this passage?

• While Irish immigrants have faced many challenges in America, they have overcome these challenges and contributed much to American society.

• The Great Famine is a warning that crop yields can determine your future.

• Racism in the 1800s and 1900s was not limited to those that were identified as black or African-American.

• The best politicians and comedians of American history have been Irish, despite unique difficulties in their lives.

Cite a specific instance from the article where the main idea of the text is the clearest.

Some Americans began to view the Irish as assets to the country. Which cause created this effect?

• 140,000 Irishmen enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War and proved their loyalty on the battlefields.

• The Irish were overcharged for smaller apartments when they moved to American cities.

• The Irish traveled to America in "coffin ships" and many died on the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.

• By the twentieth century, Irish Catholics became a force to be reckoned with in American politics.

Read the sentences:

"By the twentieth century, Irish Catholics became a force to be reckoned with in politics. Boston elected an Irish mayor, James Michael Curley. In the 1920s, New York State's Governor Al Smith was Irish. Both of them set the stage for the rise of John F. Kennedy to the White House."

What does the author mean by the term "a force to be reckoned with"?

• a negative force

• a debate team

• a powerful or influential force

• a judgmental group

Choose the answer that best completes the sentences below.

The term "Irish need not apply" became very popular on store signs; ______, store owners shortened the term to "INNA" and readers still understood its meaning.

• as a result

• before

• however

• because

Describe two challenges the Irish faced when they immigrated to America. Use at least one quote from the article to support your answer.