The Great Famine Flashcards
What were the causes of the great famine?
-rise in population
-widespread poverty
-small farms.
-reliance on the potato
-Cottiers worked in exchange for rent rather than money
-the potato blight
1845
Farmers noticed the potato stalks turning black and a strange smell from the
fields.
1846
Two-thirds of the crop was lost to blight.
Disease spread as immune systems were weakened.
1847
There was virtually no potato blight but people had few seeds to plant.
1848-1850
Starvation and disease worsened.
What attitude did the British government take
laissez-faire (let it be’) attitude to events, believing that a government should not interfere in the economy, as it would correct itself eventually.
What was a workhouse
a large building where people worked in return for basic accommodation and food.
What did the quakers do
the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) set up soup kitchens and raised money and awareness worldwide of Ireland’s need.
What was the impact of the famine on Ireland
-Fall in population (roughly one million died from disease and starvation while 1 million emigrated).
-Change in farming practices (Ireland shifted from largely crop farming to cattle-rearing).
-Rise in anti-British feeling (led to support for nationalist groups).
-Decline of the Irish language (new emigration trends-continuation of emigration).
Irish diaspora
the scattering of Irish migrants and their descendants across the world.
What was life In Britain like for the Irish diaspora
The Irish were among to poorest. They accepted low wages which made them unpopular with the British working class. Many died of diseases. The Irish became part of the industrial working class. They became involved in the building trade and transport. As they married into the British population they moved up the social class system.
What was life in the USA for the Irish diaspora
Their arrival was not welcome. They often competed with Americans for manual labour jobs. Suffered discrimination when the economy was slow.
