Chapter 13-The Irish Famine 1845-50 Flashcards
What was the Irish population in 1840? 1860?
1840- 8 000 000
1860- 4 000 000
Give three reasons for this population reduction.
Starvation, emigration, disease.
What were tenant farmers?
Rented a small farm, some were middlemen, main crop was potatoes, practiced subsistence farming.
What were cottiers?
Worked for tenant farmers. Poorest, almost wiped out by famine. Used lazy beds, relied on potatoes.
What was conacre?
Land rented by a cottier, often kept secret from landlord.
Why did people rely on the potatoe?
Highly nutritious vegetable. Grown in relatively small patch of land. Suited to damp Irish climate.
What is the potato blight?
Fungus that attacked the potato as it grew on the ground. Rots potato and makes in inedible. Believed to have come from Canada.
What was the worst year of the famine?
1847 (black ‘47)
How long did the famine last?
It lasted from 1845-49.
What were 3 parts of the British response to the famine?
1) Work schemes were set up, people did hard labour.
2) Workhouses were set up to clear streets.
3) Indian maize was imported to distribute, but few knew how to prepare it.
What did the Indian maize become known as?
Peel’s Brimstone.
What were 4 results of the famine?
1) Population was halved.
2) Use of Irish language was greatly reduced.
3) Increase in political activism.
4) Subdivision came to an end.
What kind of problems did people face after emigrating?
Housing conditions were poor.
Cities were overwhelmed.
Forced to live in slums.
Discrimination.
Why were the emigration ships known as coffin ships?
Because so many people died on them and were thrown overboard.
