When looking at the development of the United States, many groups have contributed to making our country to what it is today. But many times, the Irish's accomplishments are forgotten about and their past is spotted with feelings of hatred. The Irish took part in many events and significant happenings of America's history. One of the crises that they contributed to was the Civil War. Many Irish immigrants fought for the country, on both the Union and Confederate sides. The Irish Brigade is one of the most heard about groups of soldiers, but there were many more Irish who gave their lives for their country. Also, many Irishmen who fought in the war were honored as brilliant soldiers and some even becoming ranking officers. By the end of the Civil War, the Irish immigrants had left a mark on history and made a place for themselves in America.
For many years, the controversy of the enslavement of blacks was a dividing issue between the North and the South. Many Northerners wanted to abolish slavery or at least confine it to the South. The Southerners did not want any restrictions put on slavery (Damon 9). Some Southern states threatened to withdraw from the Union if they were denied the right to own slaves (Damon 9). The South was outnumbered, outgunned, and outmanned, but they entered the Civil War with as much determination as the North had confidence (Courcy). The Irish Americans, like many other groups and families, were split by the war and having to choose sides. Many Irish in the North were in support of slavery. "They did not want to fight to free the slaves and thereby increase labor competition" (Takaki 152). They knew that if the slaves were freed, then they would be able to move to the North and compete with the Irish for their jobs. They feared economic competition (Horowitz 186). But the thought of preserving their country had a greater influence on many Irish.