Colonial Times- Push And Pull Factors.
• During colonial times when the Irish were only second to the English, the Scotch-Irish were pushed out of Ireland due to religious conflict, lack of political Autonomy and dire economic conditions. It was in the year 1816 when Scotch-Irish Immigrants slowly began to arrive to America. Having left Ulster Ireland, many immigrant groups came to America seeking the freedom to worship the way they wanted. The Irish were not much different when it came to religion. Economic conditions in Ireland were poor at this time. Irish people who wanted to own land were pulled to America by the promise of a better way of life. Some Irish immigrants were sent to the colonies as prisoners. They served their sentences here. Furthermore “Colonial Immigration” an article by the Library of Congress states, “Immigrants were pulled towards America by the promise of land ownership and greater religious freedom.” They did this so that they could provide for their families; however, many of the land was already owned by rich farm owners who used much of the crop for farming. Many Immigrants from Ireland came as indentured servants. These were people who had their passage paid for by someone else. In return the servant would work for that person for a number of years in order to pay them back however, on the job many died because of the dreadful working conditions.