America grew to become a land of factories, corporate businesses, and industrial workers. Increased immigration to the United States provided workers for many industrial companies. There was an explosion in the population growth of large American cities, centers of 100,000 inhabitants went from about 6 million to 14 million between 1880 and 1900, the cities had become a world of newcomers. The country's transformation from a rural agricultural society to an urban industrial nation attracted immigrants from around the world. Some of the largest immigrant groups to arrive in the United States were Irish and Italians. The Irish and Italian immigrants to America were so different and similar at the same time. Both parties faced harsh oppression, shared similarities, and lived contrasting lives in America. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay The Irish faced oppression in America due to their poor living conditions and their willingness to work for low wages. Their oppression was often exacerbated by religious conflicts. During the time the Irish immigrants immigrated there was a lot of tension between Protestants and Catholics. The tension between these two groups has led to verbal attacks and often even mob violence. In 1831, a group of Protestants burned St. Mary's Catholic Church in New York City, and later, in May 1844, the Philadelphia nativist riots began, resulting in thirteen deaths. Immigrant sentiment was still carried by some large groups of Americans, thus making it more difficult for immigrants to come to America. Italian immigrants were blamed for taking American jobs due to the economic depression of the United States. During the 1880s, anti-immigrant societies sprang up across the country. Groups such as the Ku Klux Klan saw growth in membership during these years. Catholic churches and charities were vandalized and burned, and Italians were attacked by mobs. In the 1890s alone, more than 20 Italians were killed. One of the worst acts of violence committed against Italian immigrants occurred in New Orleans in 1891. When the police chief was found dead in the street one night, the mayor blamed "Sicilian gangsters" and rounded up over 100 Sicilian Americans. Ultimately, 19 Sicilian Americans were arrested and tried, and, as Italian Americans across the country watched, they were found not guilty due to lack of evidence. Unfortunately, before any of them could be released, a mob of 10,000 people, including many of New Orleans' most influential citizens, broke into the prison and killed them. When the news broke, Italians not only in America, but around the world were furious that such a horrible thing could have happened. However, the American press supported the action and blamed no one. Although the Irish and Italians arrived at different times, they shared various similarities, but they were very different. The main factor that pushed the Irish to emigrate to America was the potato famine. The potato famine began when a fungus-like organism called Phytophthora infestans grew rapidly across much of Ireland and infested crops. Over the next seven years the infestation ruined more than three-quarters of the potatoes across the country. This became a big problem because Ireland relied heavily on potatoes as a food source. The Irish people began to struggle to find the food they found and began to struggle financially due to the rising costs of other supplies. Over the course of..