1. Immigrants in the 1800s were able to pursue the American Dream and thrive, but only with tremendous drive and determination due to the obstacles they faced.
2. Source A supports the claim by stating that immigrants or their children were able to make a success of their lives and put their mark on the nation's history, showcasing the potential for growth and success. However, Source C paints a more grim picture, with the immigrant Thomas O Reilly expressing deep regret, loneliness, and the trials and obstacles he had to overcome, suggesting that the pursuit of the American Dream was not without immense challenges.
3. Source A mentions that immigrants needed grit and drive to get anywhere, showcasing that success was possible but not easily achieved. On the other hand, Source C provides a firsthand account of the hardships faced by an Irish immigrant, highlighting the obstacles and negative experiences they encountered on their journey to pursue the American Dream. These contrasting perspectives demonstrate the complex and challenging nature of pursuing success as an immigrant in the 1800s.
Read the following
SOURCE A
"A newly arrived immigrant could rise in life only if he had tremendous drive, determination, and energy. The children of immigrants were in a slightly better position.
They learned the customs and language while growing up. Those living in towns or cities usually had some opportunity for schooling before having to go to work. Still, these children and even their children needed grit and drive to get anywhere. Many Immigrants, or their children, nevertheless, made success of their lives. Some, indeed, put their marks permanently on the nation's history."
SOURCE B
"One thing I think is certain that if the emigrants knew beforehand what they have to suffer for about the first six months after leaving home in every respect they would never come here. However, an enterprising man, desirous of advancing himself in the world will despise everything for coming to this free country, where a man is allowed to thrive and flourish, without having a penny taken out by government, no visits from tax gatherers, constables or soldiers, everyone at liberty to act and speak as he likes, provided it does not nurt another, to slander and damn government, abuse public men in their office to their faces, wear your hat in court and smoke a cigar while speaking to the judge as familiarly as if he was a common mechanic, hundreds go unpunished for crimes for which they would be surely nung in Ireland; in fact, they are so tender of life in this country that a person should have a very great interest to get himself hanged for anything!
SOURCE C
Dear John,
I am going to contact you to express the deep regret I feel at being separated from you.
Perhaps, this is the only way in which I shall ever again talk with you again. This moment, my heart sinks, and tears start to fill my eyes.
lam a "slave" in the land of liberty... Nothing but death could stop the storm which is raging in my mind. When I took out your prayer book in the chapel today, I thought my heart would break, not because it is weak, but friendless, deserted and lonely.....
[We set sail for America after many days, and one storm was greater than the next on the journey)
I would advise no one that I like to emigrate unless they have friends before them, who will house them and protect them from all the evils of Society. You would hardly believe it if I told you, all the trials, and obstacles of every kind which I had to overcome...
I was in the worst company human nature could produce since I left Ireland - robbers, swindlers.
pirates, smugglers and swearers...
I wrote to my mother. If she bids me to go home I will go. I will return to the land of my birth as soon as possible. - Thomas O Reilly, Irisn Immigrant, 1848
Read the above and answer the following
Were Immigrants in the 1800s able to pursue the American Dream and * 4 points thrive (do well)?
1. Develop a claim that responds to the compelling question.
2 in two sentences Explain how one source supports your claim. Explain how one source does not support your claim.
3. Use details and examples from the selected sources to support your response.
1 answer
1 answer