Scots-Irish Stereotypes

While there are three major peoples groups who settled Appalachia, the Scots-Irish have perhaps had the biggest impact on the region when compared to African-Americans and Indians. This ethnic group largely migrated to America and specifically the Appalachia region in the 18th century around the time of the Revolutionary War with most migration ending around the time of the American Civil War. With them, the Scots-Irish brought the combined culture and history of their Scottish and Irish ancestors. These people were used to being oppressed by their rulers and therefore were fiercely independent. These Europeans also brought important ideas about frontier development. Outsiders to the region who did not understand their way of life perceived the Scots-Irish as a lazy people, with this stereotype still existing today. Resources have played a major role in shaping the economy of
They have undoubtedly had the biggest impact on the area from frontier development ideas to the current coal industry. The Scots-Irish’s outlook on life was shaped by being persecuted for centuries in their ancestor’s homelands of Scotland and Ireland. This mistreatment caused them to be intensely independent. The Civil War dramatically changed the region and the lives of the people living there and not necessarily in a positive way. Stereotypes first created in the late 1800’s of Appalachian residents as always being lazy and behind the times have persisted to the modern day. Nowadays these stereotypes are sometimes celebrated instead of hated on by residents of the region. While sharing aspects of their culture with other peoples groups in the region, Scots-Irish still maintain a separate identity. The Scots-Irish have had a profound impact on Appalachia owing to their unique outlook on life which was shaped by their ancestor’s history of persecution and immigration to new