What is the Great Famine?
Q: What is the Great Famine?
A: The Great Famine, also known as the Great Hunger or Potato Famine, was a period of mass starvation in Ireland between 1845 and 1852. It was caused by a fungus-like organism which destroyed potatoes, which were the staple food for most Irish people at the time.
Q: How many people died during the famine?
A: It is believed that between 1 million to 1.5 million people died in the three years from 1846 to 1849 due to hunger or disease. Additionally, another million became refugees because of the famine.
Q: Where did those who left Ireland move to?
A: Many people who left Ireland moved to Great Britain (mostly to Liverpool), the United States, Canada and Australia.
Q: What other crops were produced in Ireland during this time?
A: During this time, corn, wheat, barley and beef were still being produced in Ireland despite potato blight destroying potatoes as their main crop.
Q: Why did potato become a base food for poor Irish people?
A: Potato became a base food for poor Irish people mainly because holdings were so small that no crop other than potatoes would be able to feed a family and it was also used as supplementary rather than major food alongside butter, milk and grain products.
Q: What caused monoculture in Ireland leading up to the famine?
A: Monoculture occurred in Ireland leading up to the famine because they only planted one main crop - potatoes - which allowed its disease infest all other potatoes within their territory.
Q: How long had British governments been grappling with problems related to governing Ireland prior to 1845?
A: Between 1801 and 1845 British governments grappled with problems related to governing Ireland for 40 years through 114 commissions and 61 special committees enquiring into its state.
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