Joe Clark’s Reviews > The Harp and the Eagle: Irish-American Volunteers and the Union Army, 1861-1865 > Status Update
Joe Clark
is 20% done
The whole issue of what the Civil War was about is muddled. Modern liberals insist slavery was the single issue. But saving the Union was as important if not more so. The 13th Amendment abolishing slavery only matters because the North won the war
Preserving the Union was the key concern for Irish immigrants in the North (there were plenty of Irish soldiers in the Confederate army,)
— May 25, 2026 07:50AM
Preserving the Union was the key concern for Irish immigrants in the North (there were plenty of Irish soldiers in the Confederate army,)
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Joe’s Previous Updates
Joe Clark
is 16% done
To the Irish immigrant population, the Republican Party in 1860 was simply a reworking the NoNothing party - anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant. Stephen Douglas was going to protect the Constitution and the rights of poor, struggling Irish immigrants - not Lincoln.
— May 23, 2026 05:11PM
Joe Clark
is 14% done
Rereading this one. First impression is the Irish experience in the 19th Century was very much like the Hispanic experience in the 20th and 21st centuries.
The NoNothings were very much like the MAGA crowd today.
But attitudes toward religion in the military were complex and not a problem for Irish Catholics alone. Even lax protestants objected to forced attendance at religious services.
— May 22, 2026 02:01PM
The NoNothings were very much like the MAGA crowd today.
But attitudes toward religion in the military were complex and not a problem for Irish Catholics alone. Even lax protestants objected to forced attendance at religious services.
Joe Clark
is 5% done
The situation of Irish immigrants in 19th Century America. Distinction between Ulster (Protestant) Irish and Catholic Irish. Growing influence of Irish immigrants in Democratic party - more conservative political parties - basically the Know-Nothing outraged by the immigrant drain on public resources wanted to restrict immigration and naturalization (does that sound familiar).
— Dec 08, 2023 09:50AM
