Causes of the Causes of the FamineFamine

Sub-divisionSub-division

Family land-even if it was rented-was Family land-even if it was rented-was traditionally divided up equally among the traditionally divided up equally among the sons on the death of the father. This sons on the death of the father. This practice was known as sub-division. This practice was known as sub-division. This meant the size of farms became smaller meant the size of farms became smaller with every passing generation. with every passing generation.

In 1845 almost 200,000 families lived on In 1845 almost 200,000 families lived on less than 5 acres per family, while less than 5 acres per family, while 135,000 families had less than 1 acre135,000 families had less than 1 acre

This is how sub-division This is how sub-division workedworked

Farmer

Son SonSon

TasksTasks

1.1. What do you think is going to What do you think is going to happen to each generation as the happen to each generation as the land becomes sub-divided?land becomes sub-divided?

2.2. Explain how sub-division developed Explain how sub-division developed a reliance on the potato?a reliance on the potato?

3.3. Why were small holders easier to Why were small holders easier to evict from the land?evict from the land?

4.4. Write a sentence explaining the Write a sentence explaining the meaning of subsist? (Use a meaning of subsist? (Use a dictionary to help)dictionary to help)

Population GrowthPopulation Growth The population of Ireland increased from The population of Ireland increased from

around 5 million in 1801 to over 8 million around 5 million in 1801 to over 8 million in 1841. This was largely due to the fact in 1841. This was largely due to the fact that a family could live off a very small that a family could live off a very small piece of land growing potatoes and, piece of land growing potatoes and, therefore, people began to get married therefore, people began to get married younger and have more children.younger and have more children.

The population growth led to more sub-The population growth led to more sub-division of land as well as to an increase division of land as well as to an increase in the number of landless labourers. in the number of landless labourers.

Draw the following figures Draw the following figures on to a bar graph on to a bar graph

YEAR POPULATION

1741 2,000,000

1791 4,000,000

1801 5,000,000

1821 6,800,000

1831 7,700,000

1841 8,100,000

Questions on Pre-Famine Questions on Pre-Famine PopulationPopulation

1.1. What was the population What was the population growth between 1741 & growth between 1741 & 1841? (Show your 1841? (Show your working out in all working out in all questions)questions)

2.2. What was the climb in What was the climb in population in the twenty population in the twenty years between 1821 and years between 1821 and 1841? 1841?

3.3. What is the difference in What is the difference in population now in population now in Ireland (5.6m) to that in Ireland (5.6m) to that in 1741?1741?

4.4. 4. Who do you think the 4. Who do you think the ‘troublemaker’ is? Why ‘troublemaker’ is? Why do you think that it is do you think that it is shown in this way?shown in this way?

Dependence on the Dependence on the potatopotato

Many Irish families depended almost entirely on the Many Irish families depended almost entirely on the potato for food. By 1845, about one third of the population potato for food. By 1845, about one third of the population ate little except potatoes. Most of the other crops and ate little except potatoes. Most of the other crops and livestock were sold to pay rent to the landlord.livestock were sold to pay rent to the landlord.

It was only possible to live on such plots of land because It was only possible to live on such plots of land because potatoes were easy to grow, even on poor soil and they potatoes were easy to grow, even on poor soil and they could produce a large yield on a small amount of land.could produce a large yield on a small amount of land.

Potatoes were very nutritious. On average, a grown man Potatoes were very nutritious. On average, a grown man ate 7lbs-14lbs of potatoes per day, whilst the children ate ate 7lbs-14lbs of potatoes per day, whilst the children ate 5 lbs.5 lbs.

For most families, there were at least two months of the For most families, there were at least two months of the year when the old potato crop had run out and the new year when the old potato crop had run out and the new one was not ready. These were known as the “hungry” or one was not ready. These were known as the “hungry” or “meal” months when people were forced to eat a kind of “meal” months when people were forced to eat a kind of porridge instead.porridge instead.

Dependence on the Dependence on the potatopotato

1.1. Was the population growth in Was the population growth in Ireland simply down to the potato?Ireland simply down to the potato?

2.2. Do up a poster promoting Do up a poster promoting potatoes- Remember potatoes potatoes- Remember potatoes were a ‘wonder food’. Use the were a ‘wonder food’. Use the advantages of the potato to help advantages of the potato to help you think of ideas for your poster.you think of ideas for your poster.

Potatoes the ‘Wonder Food’Potatoes the ‘Wonder Food’

I always have yields- loads of

my brothers and sisters grow from small

amounts of land

I can grow from the poorest

quality of land.

I am very tasty and nutritious. Try me

with some buttermilk

Star QualityTry them

today

Potato BlightPotato Blight In 1845 a fungal disease struck the Irish potato In 1845 a fungal disease struck the Irish potato

crop. The first sign of a problem was when the crop. The first sign of a problem was when the leaves of the potato plant went black and died. leaves of the potato plant went black and died. By the time people noticed this; it was too late to By the time people noticed this; it was too late to save the potatoes.save the potatoes.

The potato blight spread easily because of the The potato blight spread easily because of the previously mild winter and the wet and windy previously mild winter and the wet and windy autumn.autumn.

The potatoes became a stinking soggy, black The potatoes became a stinking soggy, black

mess.mess.

In 1845 about half of the potato crop in Ireland In 1845 about half of the potato crop in Ireland had been destroyed.had been destroyed.

Landlords Tenant Farmers Small Holders & Labourers

Lifestyle

Religion

Homes

Marriage Patterns

Inheritance