Nicole Anderson Yanoso - The Irish and the American Presidency

I would like to begin by thanking my husband John. He has given me an incredible amount of support and love throughout this entire project. John, thank you for always reminding me I am worthy. You are an exceptional human being. Next, I extend an abundance of appreciation to my parents, Frances and Ralph Anderson. They taught me the power of education, but also, and even more importantly, the need for unflagging dedication and perseverance. Thank you both for your unending love, sacrifice, and example. A special thank you goes to my in-laws, Ellen and Dennis Yanoso. You accepted me into your family immediately and have treated me like a daughter and a friend. I also would like to thank my beautiful and kindhearted sister Danielle whom I always have looked up to and tried, without success, to emulate. To my brothers Ralph and Stephen: your constant humor and generosity has made my life richer, more enjoyable, and memorable. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my mentors: Dr. William Rogers, Professor Christine Kinealy, and Dr. George Sirgiovanni. Bill, thanks for always expecting the best from me and pushing me to succeed. Christine, you do so much for so many people and possess a combination of brilliance and humbleness that is a rarity to encounter. And, I cannot say enough about George who is the chairperson of the History Program at the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE), where I currently teach. George, you are an exceptionally kind and phenomenal individual who has made my success your personal mission. I also would like to recognize the highly capable staff of the College of Saint Elizabeths Mahoney Library, with special thanks to its Director Amira Unver. The hardworking professionals who run Mahoney Library retrieved any and all sources that I needed, sometimes working for weeks on my requests, and on occasion turning a benevolent blind eye to my many long-overdue books. Moreover, thank you Bruce Lancaster, Reference Associate at the Rose Memorial Library at Drew, for your input and interest in my topic. Beyond that, I owe much appreciation to Archivist Bill Hurley at the American Irish Historical Society in New York City. Working with such a bright and helpful young scholar was a pleasure. Also, I extend a great deal of gratitude to Barbara Schiavone of Structure Tone who worked tirelessly to get me an interview with Sinn Fin leader Gerry Adams. Additionally, I would like to thank Robert Sirgiovanni for graciously offering his meticulous mind to the laborious task of editing my footnotes. Finally, I would like to thank my four cheerleaders and friends: Jaclyn Harte, Kimberley Grant Laham, Vincent Perrin, and Daniel Moran. Jackie, one day you will see in yourself what the rest of us see in you: beauty, grace, and excellence. Kim, thank you for your endless support and loveI am forever grateful for our friendship. Vin and Dan, thanks for gently hounding me about finishing this project. Whenever I thought completion was impossible, there would be an email in my inbox from one of you telling me to keep going!

Irish and Irish-American affairs have significantly affected American presidential politics throughout US history, from the American Revolution to modern times. No other ethnic group, both in their country of origin and as immigrants, has influenced American presidential politics, in both domestic and foreign affairs, more than the Irish. Over the years, Irish and Irish-American events, issues, and personalities have meaningfully impacted political careers of presidents, party platforms and propaganda, electoral strategies and tactics, presidential nominations, and election results. Only by reviewing the full extent of this interaction between presidential-level politics and Irish and Irish-American affairs can the role of the Irish as a consistent force in US national politics be thoroughly understood and appreciated.

The vast, complex nature of this topic has perhaps discouraged historians from attempting a full-length study. Indeed, no work covering the entire scope of the Irish influence on presidential politics exists. To be sure, several works either directly or indirectly cover USIreland diplomatic relations, and there are studies that focus on either the Irish-American experience or various presidential administrations that include references to Irish influences on national politics. These sources, however, are generally very broad in scope and thus do not focus strictly on presidential politics. In another sense, these scholarly works are narrow in scope, in that typically they do not cover the entire span of US history.

Regardless of this limited coverage, Irish and Irish Americans consistently have shaped all aspects of presidential politics in some capacity throughout US history, consequently playing notable roles in each of Americas six party systems. These eras are separated and defined by significant shifts in presidential politics throughout the course of US history. Issues in Ireland as well as Scots-Irish (also known as Scotch-Irish) and Catholic Irish-American affairs affected these party systems and the presidencies involved.

The Presbyterian Scots-Irish immigrants from northern Ireland helped develop the Young Republic and the Democratic-Republican Party that emerged during the nations First Party System.

During the Third Party System, Irish Americans participated in Americas Civil War, the Fenian Movement for Irish independence, and the Gilded Age, particularly the 1884 and 1888 elections, both of which were probably decided by Irish-American voters. They also pressured presidents and presidential candidates to respond supportively to the Home Rule movement in Ireland which sought to restore self-government to Ireland on all domestic issues. During the Fourth Party System, the Irish opposed both the United States policy of expansion and the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the Great War but did not give Ireland self-determination as promised. During that same party system, the American Irish enthusiastically supported the 1928 nomination of the first Irish Catholic for president by a major political party.