Considering both source B and source C, they provide contrasting perspectives on immigration to America in the 1800s. Source B paints a picture of America as a land of opportunity, freedom, and prosperity, where individuals can thrive without government interference and oppressive societal norms. On the other hand, source C provides a firsthand account from an Irish immigrant who experienced hardship, loneliness, and exploitation upon arriving in America.
While source B may provide a more optimistic and idealized view of immigration to America in the 1800s, source C offers a more realistic and sobering perspective. Together, these sources can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by immigrants during that time period.
Therefore, considering both sources would make research on immigration and the 1800s more useful as it offers a well-rounded view of the experiences and perceptions of immigrants during that era.
Read the following
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
Answer the following
Consider all the sources provided does this make it more or less useful when research and immigrations and the 1800s?
1 answer