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Struggles
Historical documents on New York crime history expose divisions within many ethnic groups. Divisions were a result of religious differences, cultural practices, political views, and color. Wars like the Thirty Years wars and policies such as inquisition created rifts within various ethnic groups. The Orange Riot of 1871 is but one example, where the Orangemen (Irish Protestants) showed their hatred for the Catholic Irish by marching into their neighborhood waving orange flags commemorating the takeover of the English throne by William of Orange on Boyne's Day (1824). The resulting violence ended with the deaths of sixty two Irishmen (Binders & Reimers, 49).
Irish immigrants continued arriving by the thousands, eventually forming large communities in regions like East Harlem. Their sheer size tipped the ballot, which eventually opened up jobs in the police force, fire department, and led them to dominate the Catholic churches and Tammany Hall. As early as 1860, there were more than 203,000 Irishmen in New York. A true fact, there were no official police or fire forces until 1865, and till then, Irish gangs such as the Bowery B'hoys and a few community formed associations served that purpose. Half of the time, however, Irish gangs were warring one another especially during times of corruption within Tammany Hall. Gangs of New York, althoug exaggerated in certain areas, provides a fairly good idea of gang activity in early New York.
The Irish responded to hostility or threats with organized force and with great ferocity.
They helped their countrymen by developing organizations such as the Brotherhood of St. Patrick's, which supported newly arriving Irish immigrants.
The Irish were
known for their strong faith, political aggressiveness, and extreme loyalty. During the Civil War, members of the Irish Brigade were known to charge into the enemy despite all odds, guided by faith alone (Kinsella, Para 12). Others attempted invading Canada so as to trade with the English for their homeland Ireland (Kinsella, Para 12).
For more information on Irish in New York City, Click here.
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