Latest / The History of Ireland: Rebellion, Empire, and Independence — Fexingo History
The Irish Famine and the British Response
We often hear about the Great Famine in Ireland as a singular tragedy, but few stop to examine the machinery of state that allowed it to become catastrophic. This episode moves past the general narrative of hunger to look at the specific economic theories and political decisions made between 1845 and 1852. We explore how the laissez-faire ideology of the Whig government, led by Charles Trevelyan, clashed with the desperate reality of a starving population. You will learn about the role of the Board of Control, the controversial Ship Money tax, and the complex relationship between relief works…
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