The Irish Migrants

The Irish Migrants

Prior to their arrival in the United States, the Irish experienced the systematic destruction of their traditional culture by the British. Consequently, when they immigrated to American cities like Chicago, the Irish sought security by organizing socially, politically, economically, and geographically. Like most ethnic-Chicagoans, the Irish aggressively defended their self-interests in a constant battle to create a better life for their families. By the twentieth century, the Irish distinguished themselves by successfully defending Irish strongholds in neighborhoods like Bridgeport. Throughout Chicago, they established a network of Roman Catholic parishes with members united and fiercely loyal. Unity allowed Irish communities to gain control of labor unions, the Democratic Party, the police department, the fire department, and the criminal underworld. Street gangs known as “athletic clubs” controlled turf and protected parish communities like St. Bridget’s. These clubs maintained the traditions of a bachelor culture that valued physical strength, alcohol consumption, and aggressive masculinity. When gangs like Ragen’s Colts defended Bridgeport, they exhibited a parochialism which other immigrant groups saw as aggressive and intolerant. The Colts’ slogan was “hit me and you hit two thousand.” Given their intense loyalty to the self-interest of their community, the Colts considered it an “invasion” when the rapidly expanding community of newly arrived African Americans crossed the neighborhood boundary at Wentworth Avenue and entered Bridgeport on their way to work in the Chicago stockyards. The Irish were prepared by July of 1919 to take action against the invaders.