Imagine you are a migrant from Ireland during the Potato Famine. Your family is locking food to live and are relocating to the United States.

Question

Write a journal entry of your experience using PUSH and PULL factors to describe the situation.

Your Journal should be 3/4 to 1 page long. Written in lines and in complete sentences.

Highlight two (2) PUSH FACTORS in GREEN

Highlight two (2) PULL FACTORS in YELLOW

Answer 1

Journal Entry

Date: May 1, 1847

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Our family has been severely affected by the devastating Potato Famine that has plagued Ireland for the past few years. The scarcity of food and the dire conditions have left us with no choice but to uproot ourselves and seek a better life in the United States.

Since the potato blight struck our land, we have experienced one hardship after the other. Our once-bountiful crops have withered away, leaving us without sustenance. The **lack of food** has taken a toll on our health, as we struggle to survive eating meager portions of bread and whatever other substitutes we can find. The feeling of constant hunger **pushes** us to find a place where we can secure a more stable source of sustenance.

Moreover, the political and economic situation in Ireland adds to our decision to migrate. The oppressive policies of the British government have fueled resentment and poverty amongst the Irish population. We're treated as second-class citizens in our own homeland, with limited access to education, employment, and land ownership. The **political and economic instability** makes it nearly impossible for us to envision a better future for ourselves and our children. The constant struggle to make ends meet **pushes** us to seek opportunities elsewhere.

However, it is not just the unbearable conditions at home that are propelling us towards the United States; there are **attractive opportunities** awaiting us across the ocean. News of abundant land and the promise of a fresh start have captured our attention. The United States is a vast country, full of unexplored territories, where opportunity is seemingly endless. We hope to acquire our own plot of land and cultivate it to ensure a steady source of food and income for our family. This opportunity to **own land and thrive as farmers** is one of the most appealing **pull factors** drawing us towards the United States.

In addition, we have heard stories of the Irish community flourishing in America. Relatives and friends who have already made the journey attest to the thriving Irish communities in cities like Boston and New York. The presence of a supportive network and the opportunity to reconnect with our roots give us hope for a brighter future. The sense of **belonging** and the prospect of a community that understands and shares our struggles are incredibly powerful **pull factors** that are luring us towards the United States.

As we set sail for America, leaving behind our homeland and loved ones, we carry a mix of hope and apprehension in our hearts. We are determined to escape the famine and the oppressive conditions, **pushed** by the desperate need for food and a stable life. At the same time, we are **pulled** by the allure of economic opportunities, land ownership, and a chance to rebuild our lives in a new homeland. Only time will tell whether this journey will be the salvation we seek.