the Great Famine (Ireland)

The Irish Great Famine (1845–1852) was a devastating famine caused by a potato blight that destroyed the primary food source for most Irish people. Limited by a heavily dependent agriculture system, widespread hunger and poverty ensued. British governance and policies at the time are criticized for insufficient aid and exporting food during the crisis. The famine led to approximately one million deaths and caused another million to emigrate, significantly reducing Ireland’s population and shaping its modern history. It remains a defining event highlighting the impacts of dependency, colonialism, and social inequality.