Investigate the causes, course and consequences, nationally and

internationally, of the Great Famine, and examine the significance of the Irish
Diaspora.

Causes of the Famine

There were four main causes of the Famine. The population of Ireland grew from 6.8
million in 1821 to 8.2 million in 1841. As population increased, people became
poorer.
The poorest people were labourers, cottiers and small farmers.
Most of the people depended on farming. Fathers subdivided their land to their sons
or sublet their land as conacre. Families became poorer as farms got smaller.
Poor families depended on the potato for their main meals. It was the only food for
about 4million people.
Blight, a disease that rots potatoes attacked the crop. People had no other food
source.

Course of the Famine

The British government initially acted quickly and Sir Robert Peel imported Indian
corn to Ireland. Peel also set up public works schemes so that poor people could
earn money by working on roads and piers.
Lord John Russell adopted a laissez-faire policy believing the government should not
interfere in the workings of the economy.
The government set up soup kitchens and passed the Soup Kitchen Act 1847 but
closed them down after only six months.
Workhouses were set up to help the poor but conditions were bad and disease
spread. People suffered from Typhus and Yellow fever.
Thousands were forced to emigrate to Britain, the US and Canada.

Consequences of the Famine

The population of Ireland fell. One million died from hunger and disease and one
million emigrated. The cottiers and labourers were worst hit. Emigration created the
Irish Diaspora- the scattering of Irish people around the world. Whole families
emigrated to America, Canada and Britain.
Subdivision ended. The oldest son got the farm when his father died. This meant the
others were forced to emigrate. The birth rate in Ireland reduced.
The Irish language declined especially in the West and South West.
The significance of the Irish Diaspora
The English government, were blamed for the Famine. Emigrants took their hatred of
England to America. The Fenians (members of the IRB who called for an Irish
Republic) gained support both in America and at home.
The bulk of Irish emigration went to America. Many Irish suffered discrimination and
anti-Irish hatred. However, within a generation the Irish had climbed the social
ladder. They got respectable jobs such as teachers and policemen. They were better
educated and became successful.
The link between Irish-Americans and Ireland is still strong to this day. The link can
be seen in politics, tourism and culture. For example, President Kennedy was the
first Irish-American president.
Generations of Irish emigrants have contributed to American music, entertainment,
arts and literature, science, engineering and sport.