Irish Potoatoe Famine
Senior Writing Seminar 13 December 2012
The Irish Potato Famine Six long years, with over 1 million dead, and nearly a quarter of the population missing, the Irish Potato Famine left a massive imprint in history (Irish 1). Most people underestimate the destruction of the Potato Famine because 1 million does not look like very many in today's population numbers. Back in the 1800's, less than 8 million populated Ireland. With their largest food source destroyed, the Irish looked upon Britain for help, in which they never received. There have been many debates as to how, or why this event occurred, and why they received such minute help from the British. After reviewing the Death Toll, Foreign Relations, Farming Techniques, Living Conditions, and Duration, it is apparent that the Irish Potato Famine was by far, the worst Disaster in European History. Before the Famine even started, the Irish hated Britain. In 1798, James II, and his Catholic army tried to revolt against the British parliament and the Royal army (History 1). Widespread hangings and floggings followed as the revolt was brutally squashed (History 1). Two years later the British Act of Union, made Ireland a part of the United kingdom. Many problems arose from their defeat, such as a loss of Civil Liberties, and the loss of freedom of religion. Ireland was now under powerful British reign, and couldn't do anything about it. The famine began in September 1845 as leaves on potato plants suddenly turned black and curled, then rotted (Blight 1). The blight spread throughout the fields as fungal spores on the leaves of healthy potato plants, multiplied and were carried in the millions by cool breezes to surrounding plants (Blight 1). Under ideal moist conditions, a single infected potato plant could infect thousands more in just a few days (Blight 1). In England, religious-minded social reformers viewed the blight as
The Irish Potato Famine Six long years, with over 1 million dead, and nearly a quarter of the population missing, the Irish Potato Famine left a massive imprint in history (Irish 1). Most people underestimate the destruction of the Potato Famine because 1 million does not look like very many in today's population numbers. Back in the 1800's, less than 8 million populated Ireland. With their largest food source destroyed, the Irish looked upon Britain for help, in which they never received. There have been many debates as to how, or why this event occurred, and why they received such minute help from the British. After reviewing the Death Toll, Foreign Relations, Farming Techniques, Living Conditions, and Duration, it is apparent that the Irish Potato Famine was by far, the worst Disaster in European History. Before the Famine even started, the Irish hated Britain. In 1798, James II, and his Catholic army tried to revolt against the British parliament and the Royal army (History 1). Widespread hangings and floggings followed as the revolt was brutally squashed (History 1). Two years later the British Act of Union, made Ireland a part of the United kingdom. Many problems arose from their defeat, such as a loss of Civil Liberties, and the loss of freedom of religion. Ireland was now under powerful British reign, and couldn't do anything about it. The famine began in September 1845 as leaves on potato plants suddenly turned black and curled, then rotted (Blight 1). The blight spread throughout the fields as fungal spores on the leaves of healthy potato plants, multiplied and were carried in the millions by cool breezes to surrounding plants (Blight 1). Under ideal moist conditions, a single infected potato plant could infect thousands more in just a few days (Blight 1). In England, religious-minded social reformers viewed the blight as