A social history of the Scotch-Irish

the long version

Nearly 22 million Americans today claim to be of Scotch-Irish descent. Where did these people come from? What makes them uniquely Scotch-Irish? Why are they so proud of their heritage? This fascinating history provides answers to those and many more questions. Beginning with the origins of their population in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the author traces the Scotch-Irish development from Lowland Scotland to Northern Ireland to the American colonies. Arriving in the East, the Scotch-Irish became characterized by those they encountered as having certain traits - fiery tempered, stubborn, hard drinking, frugal, very religious to name a few - and quickly made lasting impressions. Though the Scotch-Irish were in the minority, they managed to make lasting impressions on history also. Most notably, they introduced the appeals system and the checks and balances system. If you ever wondered why you behave as you do or why your friend or spouse with Scotch-Irish heritage has particular character traits, this book is for you.