Population Before the Great Famine

Approximately 8.2 million people lived in Ireland in 1845.

Who were the Landlords?

Predominantly Anglo-Irish landowners, many descended from plantations, who owned large estates.

Who were the Tenants?

Farmers who rented small plots of land from landlords, heavily reliant on the potato crop for survival.

Core Cause of the Famine

Phytophthora infestans (potato blight) destroyed the lumper potato crop, which a massive portion of the rural poor depended on.

What did the British government do in 1845?

Sir Robert Peel bought £100,000 of Indian corn ("Peel's Brimstone") and set up public works schemes.

What did the British government do in 1846?

Lord John Russell introduced a strict laissez-faire ("let it be") policy, scaling back direct food imports and relying on workhouses and public works.

What happened in 1847 ("Black '47")?

It was the worst year of the famine with peak mortality, mass starvation, and fever.

What happened in 1848?

The blight returned severely, coinciding with widespread agrarian unrest, violence against landlords, and the Young Irelander rebellion.

Overall Human Toll of the Famine

Approximately 1 million died (from starvation, typhus, and cholera) and 1.5 million emigrated.

Common Emigration Destinations

United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.

What were "Coffin Ships"?

Overcrowded, unsanitary emigrant vessels where up to 20% of passengers died during the voyage.

How is the Famine's severity viewed?

Many historians view the catastrophic death toll as heavily exacerbated by rigid British government economic policies and slow relief.

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Question	Answer
Population Before the Great Famine	Approximately 8.2 million people lived in Ireland in 1845.
Who were the Landlords?	Predominantly Anglo-Irish landowners, many descended from plantations, who owned large estates.
Who were the Tenants?	Farmers who rented small plots of land from landlords, heavily reliant on the potato crop for survival.
Core Cause of the Famine	Phytophthora infestans (potato blight) destroyed the lumper potato crop, which a massive portion of the rural poor depended on.
When did the Famine start and end?	1845 to 1852.
What did the British government do in 1845?	Sir Robert Peel bought £100,000 of Indian corn ("Peel's Brimstone") and set up public works schemes.
What did the British government do in 1846?	Lord John Russell introduced a strict laissez-faire ("let it be") policy, scaling back direct food imports and relying on workhouses and public works.
What happened in 1847 ("Black '47")?	It was the worst year of the famine with peak mortality, mass starvation, and fever.
What happened in 1848?	The blight returned severely, coinciding with widespread agrarian unrest, violence against landlords, and the Young Irelander rebellion.
Overall Human Toll of the Famine	Approximately 1 million died (from starvation, typhus, and cholera) and 1.5 million emigrated.
Common Emigration Destinations	United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.
What were "Coffin Ships"?	Overcrowded, unsanitary emigrant vessels where up to 20% of passengers died during the voyage.
Long-term Consequences of the Famine
How is the Famine's severity viewed?	Many historians view the catastrophic death toll as heavily exacerbated by rigid British government economic policies and slow relief.

Created by: O15iny

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