Populated by 8 million people, the Irish, with a majority of Roman Catholics, are among the poorest people in the Western world. Only about a quarter of the population could read and write, and their life expectancy was relatively short. Ireland was an extremely poor country. Under English rule, citizens lost many of their political and religious rights. They were divided between Protestants, who represented the continued presence of England, and Roman Catholics, hostile to Britain. Those hostile to Britain faced many other challenges, such as being charged exorbitant sums to live on land that once belonged to them and their ancestors. They were on the brink of political, religious and economic catastrophe. This is why emigration became an intrinsic part of Ireland before independence, and especially after the Great Famine. Many were forced to move, while others left voluntarily in search of employment and a better quality of life. Additionally, not all immigrants enjoyed their new lives in British North America. Even if leaving Ireland seemed like the only way out, Irish Catholic immigrants should not be grateful for a fresh start in British North America. Throughout their emigration they received false promises from their landlords during the famine, the Irish faced the same problems of poverty and discrimination as before, and their living and working environment was deficient . The Great Famine of 1845 was a crucial phase that triggered a crisis. mass migration. It started with a potato crop blight that bankrupted the European economy. The price of food increased significantly, leading citizens to starve and develop many diseases. During this time, the owners used different methods to try to...... middle of paper ...... the ants should not be impressed by their actions and should decide not to support their new country. Many Irish Catholic immigrants faced many challenges throughout their lives in Ireland, before moving to North America. Concrete example: having prohibited rights and finding a job. They were forced to come to British North America because living conditions in their home country were very poor. Although emigrating to America could mean the start of a new life, it was not uncommon to hear immigrants say that their "old country" was better than the new one. Many Irish immigrants were disappointed because they faced the same problems and even newer struggles since living in their home country. Therefore, Irish immigrants should not be grateful for a fresh start and wholeheartedly support British North America from the start..