Final answer:
Irish immigrants in the U.S. were restricted from upward mobility due to nativism and anti-Catholic sentiment, relegating them to low-status jobs. Despite initial discrimination, they eventually assimilated and became a significant part of American society, particularly after immigration policies like the Johnson-Reed Act of 1924 began favoring immigrants from northern and western Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States, during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Irish immigrants faced significant obstacles that restricted their upward mobility, which was largely reserved for Anglo-Protestants of northern European descent. Irish people, many of whom were Catholic and arriving poor, especially after the Irish Potato Famine of 1845, were often viewed with prejudice and relegated to low-status, menial jobs. This discrimination was similar in nature to the racism directed at African Americans during the same period. The phenomenon of tight-knit Irish communities forming was a direct result of segregation from Anglo neighbors, reinforcing the ethnic hierarchy. Despite eventual assimilation and contributions to politics, business, and law enforcement, the Irish initially encountered a social climate marred by nativism and anti-Catholic sentiment.
By the end of the 19th century, the push for restrictive immigration laws led to the Johnson-Reed Act of 1924, which favored immigrants from northern and western Europe and discriminated against those from southern and eastern Europe, reflecting the nativist sentiments of the time. However, with each successive generation, Irish Americans gradually became part of the dominant group in American society, overcoming earlier prejudices and gaining acceptance and assimilation. Their story is a testament to the dynamic nature of the American social fabric and the evolution of attitudes toward immigrant groups.