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The Irish Potato Famine: Tragedy and Consequences

Learn about the devastating effects of the Irish Potato Famine, including mass death, emigration, and long-term societal changes. Understand the causes, government responses, and lasting impact on Ireland.

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The Irish Potato Famine: Tragedy and Consequences

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  1. 2nd Year History THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE

  2. Background • Most landlords protestant. • Many absentee. • Large farmers (30 acres +). • Sublet to small farmers and cottiers. • Spalpeens were wandering labourers.

  3. The Workhouse • Country divided into Poor Law Unions and each had a workhouse. • Only the really badly off would go there (families split up, like prison).

  4. Causes • Rise in population • Subdivision of land • Dependence on the potato • The Blight

  5. What was done? • 1845 Peel’s government bought maize (Indian corn) and set up Public Works Schemes. • 1846 Russel’s liberal government did not want to interfere and abandoned the above.

  6. Soup kitchens • Soup kitchens were set up by the Quakers and the government but the government abandoned the idea in 1847. • The workhouses catered for 200000 and eventually were allowed provide soup kitchens.

  7. Results • 1 million died of disease and starvation • 1 million emigrated by 1851 (coffin ships) • Push and pull causes left 4 million by 1900 • Decline of Irish language • Subdivision ended • New catholic landlords • Hatred for Britain

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