Bad Luck of the Irish

Kiran Simmons

Irish Immigration to North America

-1825-1845 more than 800,000 Irish Immigrants came to North America

-Two thirds of them moved to Canada mainly Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick

-1830’s-more Irish chose to come to the United States-A cheap fair to New York cost about $17.50

Ireland 1800’s

Potato Famine Memorial in Dublin, Ireland

Push FactorsThe Great Famine•Potato Blight•Population fell 20-25%•Mass starvation•Around 1 million people died

Political Oppression

Pull Factors

Dreams of wealth and land ownership

Religious freedom

Reaction to Irish Immigrants•Irish were often seen as poor and dirty•Anti –Catholic mentality•Inferior race•Alcoholics

How Did the Irish Become White?•Contributions to society (Henry Ford)•Other immigrants to become new target

Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day

The Los Angeles Aqueduct

Brief History

•Growing Los Angeles needed more water for a growing population•Los Angeles Department of Water and Power purchased the rights•1908-1913 the aqueduct is completed moving water hundreds of miles south

November 6, 1913

Effect of the Los Angeles Aqueduct

What was once Owens Lake is now a dry lake bed-causes ecological problems

Mono Lake

Tributaries of Mono Lake have been cut off.

Is the Battle for Water Over?