What Was the effect of the Great Famine on Ireland?
The Great famine is without doubt one of the lowest parts of Irish history. It destroyed both mentally and physically many parts of Ireland. Historians have often argued over the true lasting effects of the Great famine. I will try to determine the real effect the Great famine had on Ireland.
The most obvious effect is that of the decrease in the total population of Ireland. Estimates range from a decrease of 3 million to 4 million of the total population. With the total population being around 8 million at the start of 1845 to around 5 million by 1849. Some died of starvation but many who could emigrated. They left with a feeling of anger and hatred and bitterness towards the English. They emigrated to various parts of the world but most went across the Atlantic to the USA and Canada. This feeling of resentment stayed with them in there new homes (especially in the USA) and would continue there hatred of the English and would later help to fund the Irish nationalists.