In Ireland the potato famine caused widespread devastation to many Irishmen as it served as a cheap and nutritional crop (as in it held a high caloric content).  England did not provide any support for any of those at the bottom of the economic spectrum who were suffering the most.  These individuals also had little to no possessions and so had little reason to remain in Ireland. Once they arrived in America, it is hard to say if their condition really improved.  Although the Irish group presenting, displayed some artifacts that were retrieved from Irish American tenement rooms, these individuals were suffering just as much here as they were back in Ireland.  Living in cramped, unlit, unventilated tenements, on salaries that barely supported the overpriced rents, the Irish Americans were placed into a desperate position.  This explains the development of gangs and prostitution in these Irish tenement communities.  Even when the Irish American family tried to do legitimate work outside of criminal activities they were continuously oppressed by seemingly criminal practices by their employers!  Women who performed piecework often had to pay a deposit to their employer for the materials, which the employer would then sometimes simply keep the deposit and claim the work was “botched.”  The list simply goes on and on of how these people suffered in their new home.