Great Famine Ireland (feb 12, 1845 – apr 11, 1851)

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Ireland, still part of England at this time, was trapped in an exploitive system. Not only were they Catholic, they were also often exploited for labor by English landowners. Ireland, throughout much of the 19th century, Ireland had been dependent on potatoes as a source of food and it had been responsible for a huge population boom. However, in 1845, blight attacked the potatoes and lead to several crop failures, resulting in starvation. The British government was slow to respond, and landowners continued to demand rent, creating a cycle of poverty. Ireland’s population shrunk hugely and intensified Irish nationalism and anti-British sentiment, paving the way for Irish independence in the 20th century.

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