Irish Famine Essay

Submitted By red313
Words: 646
Pages: 3
Open Document
30 March 2011
The Irish Famine In 1845 the ruined potatoes in Ireland cause death by starvation and disease of over 2 million people and the massive immigration of another 2 million people to the United States and Britain. (Black Potatoes: the Story of the Great Irish Famine). This horrific tragedy marked the start of a revolution because of the effortless attempts from Britain to save the starving people of Ireland. Britain was too concerned with the “unhealthy reliance” that might build between then and Ireland, than simply helping fellow human lives (Northern Ireland: Troubled Land). Potatoes were the primary source of nutrition for the Irish because of how inexpensive they were and because of how easily they were grown (Countries of the World: Ireland). Early spring is the best time to plant potatoes and there are absolutely no soil preparations needed. The potatoes should be spaced about tow feet apart and need to be watered thoroughly weekly. This gave the Irish plenty of leeway when and if they were short on water, also so they could save more water for their family and use less of it on their plants. Considering how much we need water to live and how shortages of water could be in Ireland; potatoes were a great food to grow. The best thing about potatoes, besides that they are a great source of nutrition, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates, is that they can easily be stored in the dark with the temperature at about 40 degrees or

below (.). This way the cold nights in Ireland were a great way to store then in their cellars, considering that they did not have any refrigeration. The wealthy class, landlords and nobleman, were hit the least by this famine because of all of the wealth they had to buy other foods in Ireland or from other countries that Ireland traded with. The poorest class, peasants, were hit the hardest because they did not have the money to buy other foods except for the foods that they already grew: potatoes (Northern Ireland: Troubled Land). In these times, you could find a potato farm in the back of almost every home. When you would go to a house in Ireland, the chances are that you are going to find some potatoes, just as you would walk into someone’s house and trying to find some salt. In September 1845 a fungus lurked over the
Show More

Related Documents: Irish Famine Essay

The Irish Potato Famine

In the late 1800’s the Irish left Ireland when the potato famine hit Ireland. The potato famine was caused by the potato blight, which made the potatoes rot in the ground. At the time the English were exporting wheat from Ireland, which contributed to the famine. The Irish ate a lot of potatoes and due to the fact that most if not half of the population was Catholic, and only a few generations before the famine, A lot of them at the time were tenant farmers, which means that they had to pay rent…

Words 541 - Pages 3

the Irish Famine Essay

that the British have done what they can or should do to aid the Irish during the famine. Source L is a journalistic report written by the Times newspaper editorial in 1846. The source begins by saying that the Irish people believe that the famine is worse than it is and that they are exaggerating the severity of the situation. The second point made in the source states that the government provided work for the Irish people, regardless of their widespread hatred of Britain, and this…

Words 656 - Pages 3

Irish Potato Famine In America

nothing can harm you.” Irish Blessing. When the Irish’s potatoes began dying in 1845, over a million men, women and children died and thousands were caused to flee the country, many immigrants fled to America. The fortunate people, that were able to pay for safe passage to America on well built and well supplied ships, got to America safely. Some were not so fortunate… Those who survived the journey over, arrived to disappointment and a new life of poverty. In September of 1845, Irish potato crops all…

Words 898 - Pages 4

Irish Potato Famine Research Paper

The Irish Potato Famine began in 1845, lasted for more than six years and; took its toll on the daily lives of millions of people, resulted in the loss of millions of lives, and caused another million people to leave the country for their own well being and the hope of finding a better life. Ireland was very agricultural in the mid 1800s, and 8 million of the poorest people in the Western World lived there. Only about a fourth of the people in Ireland could read or write. The life expectancy was…

Words 3019 - Pages 13

Irish Potato Famine Essay

Alan Hsieh Mr. Gardner Modern Global Conflict 11/01/2013 Poison Gases during WW1 Poison gases are one of the most fearful weapons through out the whole entire World War I. Even though killing rate of machine gun during World War I was compared more than the killing rate of Poison Gases. Poison Gases is more as a slow term affect during the war, since when enemies are not in battle the opponent can still use poison gases to contaminate the living environment that their enemies lived in. And…

Words 422 - Pages 2

Irish Potato Famine Research Paper

was on the brink of disaster due to The Great Potato Famine, also known as the great hunger. The Irish Potato Famine was the worst to occur in Europe in the 19th century from 1845–1849 when the potato crop failed in successive years (Mokyr). One million people died of starvation or the diseases associated with the famine and one million emigrated to North America or parts of England, such as Liverpool, and Scotland, such as Glasgow. The famine was caused by a mysterious disease, the potato blight…

Words 946 - Pages 4

Great Potato Famine Research Paper

Beginning in 1845 and lasting for six years, the Great Irish Potato Famine swept through Ireland causing mass starvation, disease, and emigration. The Great Potato Famine affected not only Irish living in Ireland during this time period, but continues to affect Irish descendants all over the world today. Ireland in the mid 1800s identified herself as an agricultural nation. Eight million people populated Ireland during the Great Potato Famine and these were amongst the poorest people in the Western…

Words 3268 - Pages 14

Irish To Us Essay

Irish to the US AP Human Geography Miyah Davis & Claire Leon Who was involved/who had to migrate - Irish immigrants - famine struck the potato fields in 1840’s - suspicious American Protestants - Anti-Catholic mobs attacked Catholic schools and conveys - were shunned and denied work http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/irishfamine.htm Voluntary Migration or Forced Migration? Irish immigration to the United States was considered voluntary and forced. Due to the potato famine Irish people moved the…

Words 485 - Pages 2

Potato Famine Essay

The Ireland Potato famine In 1845, the Irish people depended mostly on potatoes and farming. Inspite of the fact that, the Land used to grow crops was not owned by a certain person. In Ireland during 1845, a plant fungus attacked their potato crops. This fungus was called Phytophthora infestans. The fungus covered the potato crop in black rot. This disaster lasted about 5 years and had a horrible effect on the irish people…

Words 898 - Pages 4

Irish Discrimination In The 19th Century

If the Irish were so lucky, why were they so discriminated? Obviously, they weren’t the shamrock-loving gingers we know when they’re being attacked. They had to leave Ireland to survive due to the potato famine, the Nativists didn’t have to make it any harder for them! Let me take you on a stroll through a story of retaliation, loss, and nativism with the Irish-American immigrants… It’s unfortunate that the Irish were hurt so badly, and the Nativists were unarguably to blame. The Nativists thought…

Words 695 - Pages 3