Immigration and migration

In the early and middle 1800s, most immigrants came from western Europe.

Many came from Ireland when a potato famine knocked out their crops.

A famine is a time when food is limited and people starve.

Before the famine, potatoes were a main part of Irish peoples diets.

By 1855 in Ireland, one out of every four people in New York City was born in Ireland.

Discrimination: The unfair treatment of people because of their background, race, religion, or race.

Immigrants were sometimes not hired for certain jobs, and were often made to live in separate neighborhoods. Despite this, many immigrants were able to find a better life than in their home country.