Name:________________

Guiding Questions
Document A
1. (Close reading) The man on the right is supposed to be Irish. What comparison is the
cartoon making?

Comparing Slaves in the south to Irish in the North

2. (Close reading) What is the message of this cartoon?

It means that freed slaves and Irish-Americans were equal in his eyes, specifically that they
have the "ignorant vote"

Document B
1. (Close reading) Based on this document, what were three reasons the Know-Nothings
targeted Irish Catholics?

the Know-Nothings thought that Irish Catholics hated America, protestants, and press

2. (Close reading) Based on this document, what are two reasons why the Know-Nothings
believed being Catholic was incompatible with being a United States citizen?
The know-nothings thought that Irish immigrants wouldn't like a ruler who didn't swear themselves to the catholic
church (ie. the roman pope) and that they hate America's school system

Document C
1. (Contextualization) Why were Irish used for difficult labor in the South?
because if they died, they won't lose anything.

2. (Close reading) Based on this document, how were the Irish treated?

They were treated like slaves sometimes and were even called white slaves.

Document D
1. (Close reading) The woman on the right is supposed to be Irish. Describe what she looks like
and how she’s acting. Based on this document, what were some stereotypes about Irish
women?
She has a unusual facial structure, and is larger, she appears to be acting very aggressive. A common Irish stereotype were that
they were very agressive.

2. (Contextualization) Based on this document, what job do you think many Irish women had in
the 1880s?
Based on the document I would assume they would traditionally have jobs that focus on housekeeping.

STANFORD HISTORY EDUCATION GROUP sheg.stanford.edu

 Were the Irish considered white in 19th century
America?
Evidence that the Irish were Evidence that the Irish were NOT
considered white considered white

• In the political cartoon Irish are They were not givin the same rights as the other
considered white
white people and viewed as workers.

Throughout the civil they were near the same

rank as an indentured servant as stated in
document B

They were referred to as

''white slaves' in the1850.'

In document B they were seen as

white and seen as a threat to
American ideals

Final conclusion: Were the Irish considered white in 19th century America? Please
explain your answer using the documents and cartoons above.

Yes, In three of four of the documents they were considered white but lesser then
British protestants because they were Roman Catholics which conflicted with
protestant ideals therefore the protestants thought the Catholic views would change
the American structure.

STANFORD HISTORY EDUCATION GROUP sheg.stanford.edu