Irish-American politics in the mid-19th century?

Question

Is it true most Irish Americans during the Civil War in the North supported the other side? And that they were Democrats?

Why is this exactly?

The Irish were mostly poor workers, I don't think the Democrats were very pro-labor at the time....

Answer 1

Irish-Americans fought on both sides during the Civil War; in fact in one battle a Northern officer captured a Southern one; when they found out they were both Irish, he let him go. And I don't think the Democratic party existed at that time, and if it did, there was no such thing as "pro-labour" since the concept of unions hadn't really gotten started.

Answer 2

In the mid-19th century most of the Irish in America were recent emigrants, many illegal (like my family). Nearly all were poor, badly educated, and suffered an enormous amount of discrimination due to their religion, country of origin, and inability to speak English correctly.

Not unexpectedly, this made them what Irish-American actor Jimmy Cagney once referred to as "professional againsters." Against the government, against society, against the police, etc.

Additionally, the Republican Party in the US had strong roots in the anti-emigrant movement, so Irish tended to vote Democrat (the old "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" line of thinking).

And yes, they were quite racist. After all, if you're almost on the very bottom rung of the ladder, you need someone to look down on, and who better than black Americans (the only class who were poorer, worse educated, and more discriminated against than the Irish).

As long as the war was to save the Union, they were proud to enlist and serve in the American army. It wasn't until after the Emancipation Proclamation turned it into a war against slavery (and the government instituted the draft) that it lost favor with the Irish in America.

An excellent analysis (much better than any you'll get from me) is contained in Michael Barone's book "The New Americans." Your library should have it. It's outstanding.

Answer 3

The Irish are very catholic, that's why they allied with Mexicans to fight Protestants during the Mexican-American war