What is the history of the Irish Potato Famine?

The Irish Potato Famine, also known as the Great Hunger, began in 1845 when a fungus-like organism called Phytophthora infestans (or P. infestans) spread rapidly throughout Ireland. The infestation ruined up to one-half of the potato crop that year, and about three-quarters of the crop over the next seven years.

What are 3 causes of the Irish Potato Famine?

There were many factors which contributed to the Irish potato famine being such a large-scale tragedy.

  • Over-reliance of the Irish population on the potato crop.
  • A disease called blight being accidentally transported on ships from America.
  • The reluctance or sluggishness of the ruling British government to intervene.

How did the Irish Potato Famine impact society?

It decimated Ireland’s population, which stood at about 8.5 million on the eve of the Famine. It is estimated that the Famine caused about 1 million deaths between 1845 and 1851 either from starvation or hunger-related disease. A further 1 million Irish people emigrated.

What was the Irish Potato Famine and how did it impact immigration?

The Potato Famine killed more than 1 million people in five years and generated great bitterness and anger at the British for providing too little help to their Irish subjects. The immigrants who reached America settled in Boston, New York, and other cities where they lived in difficult conditions.

Where did the Irish Potato Famine happen?

Great Famine (Ireland)

Potato Famine An Gorta Mór / An Drochshaol
Location Ireland
Period 1845–1852
Total deaths 1 million
Observations Policy failure, potato blight

When did the Potato Famine start?

1845 – 1852Great Famine / Period

What disease caused the Potato Famine?

Phytophthora infestans
Phytophthora infestans is a destructive plant pathogen best known for causing the disease that triggered the Irish potato famine and remains the most costly potato pathogen to manage worldwide.

What was one major effect of the Great Famine?

Great Famine (Ireland)

Potato Famine An Gorta Mór / An Drochshaol
Relief See below
Impact on demographics Population fell by 20–25% due to death and emigration
Consequences Permanent change in the country’s demographic, political, and cultural landscape
Website See list of memorials to the Great Famine

How did the Potato Famine affect the environment?

Pastures for livestock became especially abundant (Mokyr). The Irishmen who could not leave the country also modified the environment. Numerous Irish people became so poor that they were reduced to making themselves mud hut houses, and many were found to have starved to death inside of these huts (“After the Famine”).

What ended the potato famine?

Who caused the Potato Famine?

Phytophthora infestans is a destructive plant pathogen best known for causing the disease that triggered the Irish potato famine and remains the most costly potato pathogen to manage worldwide.