Irish immigration to the United States can be divided into five general periods; from 1640 to the present: the colonial; prestarvation; great starvation; post-starvation; and post- independence periods. Immigration to the Great Lakes region and; more specifically; to Michigan was differentially influenced during each of these times. The oppressive historical roots of the Irish in both Ireland and nineteenth century America are important to understand in gaining an appreciation for their concern with socioeconomic status.The Irish first entered the Great Lakes by way of the Ohio River and Appalachian passes; spreading north along the expanding frontier. After the War of 1812; the Irish were heavily represented in frontier military garrisons. Many Irish moved into the Detroit metropolitan area as well as to farming areas throughout Michigan. In the 1840s; a number of Irish began fishing in the waters off Beaver Island; Mackinac Island; Bay City; Saginaw; and Alpena. From 1853 to 1854; Irish emigrants from the Great Starvation dug the Ste. Marie Canal while others dug canals in Grand Rapids and Saginaw.Irish nationalism in both Michigan and the United States has been closely linked with the labor movement in which Irish Americans were among the earliest organizers and leaders. Irish American nationalism forced the Irish regardless of their local Irish origins to assume a larger Irish identity. Irish Americans have a long history of involvement in the struggle for Irish Freedom dating from the 1840s.As Patrick Ford; editor of Irish World has said; America led the Irish from the "littleness of countyism into a broad feeling of nationalism."
#724241 in Books Liberty Fund 1998-04-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.70 x 1.10 x 5.90l; 1.55 #File Name: 0865971579436 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good foundational reading for the serious history buffBy plubius tulliusThough challenging at times to read - both because ot the period spelling and sometimes complex prose - I give this book a thumbs up for any history buff wanting to understand America in the era leading up to the revolution and establishment of the constitution.Realize this is a compendium of documents and thus don't expect much narrative. There is some in the form of introductions to each article as well as a detailed preface-introduction; you will need to draw more from study ( and discussion if you can read with others) but nothing worthwhile is all that easy!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Colonial Constitutional HistoryBy Dr. James T. MccollumFor anyone interested in the constitutional foundations of the United States; this book is a must read. We have the oldest formal constitution in the world; but it didn't come from thin air. British history; culture and law and the necessities of colonial life; thousands of miles from the motherland; were the basis of the precursor documents portrayed in this book. And so; also; our constitution!2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Top Notch Collection Of Colonial SourcesBy S. MossProfessor Donald S. Lutz has given us a fine contribution of historical documents from colonial America (1607-1776) with his ~Colonial Origins of the American Constitution: A Documentary History~. These documents trace the foundations of American Constitutionalism from the beginnings of the American colonies to the start of the revolutionary perion 1776.American Constitutionalism; according to Lutz; developed out of two distinct traditions that would combine to create a uniquely American Constitutional tradition. The first developing from the top-down structure from England consisting of "charters; letters-patent;" and other orders written by the English for the colonists. The second tradition; and the focus of this collection was the set of rules; covenants; compacts; ordinances; codes; etc. written by the colonists themselves that helped spur the movement towards the development of American Constitutionalism. This second tradition and its development did not originate in the outgrowth of 1776 revolution; but was a constant evolution spanning over a hundred years (1607-1776) and Lutz proved this to be the case in the documents provided (only a small sampling; but according to Lutz valuable collection).As another reviewer indicated; the introductory essay by Lutz is a "valuable piece of work" in of itself. There is a good amount of information about the use of language contained in the essay provided by Lutz. He does a good job at explaining/defining various terms like; covenant; compact; constitution; charter; etc. and how those words were used and sometimes interchangeable. The way Lutz analyzed the language during the period in his essay is essential for anyone to understand in context the subsequent documents and I can't place more emphasis on reading/understanding his introductory essay for those who are not familiar with the period and the language used.Overall; this is an exceptional and well organized collection (state by state ending with confederations) of important documents regarding the colonial origins of American Constitutionalism. The book ends with a fine bibliography for those who want to further explore more documents of our colonial past and its influence on American Constitutionalism. As another reviewer stated the only downside is a lack of an index; but still an excellent source.
