Why did thousands of people th leave Ireland

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Why did thousands of people th leave Ireland in the 19 Century? Aims: To

Why did thousands of people th leave Ireland in the 19 Century? Aims: To explain the causes of the Irish Potato Famine To explain why thousands of people left Ireland

Critical thinking – how did this object cause so much suffering?

Critical thinking – how did this object cause so much suffering?

About 160 years ago in Ireland most people were very poor. The didn’t own

About 160 years ago in Ireland most people were very poor. The didn’t own their houses or their land. Instead they rented them from landlords who were extremely rich and owned huge amounts of land. The houses they rented looked like this:

Families slept on thin mattresses They cooked their made from straw, usually allon the

Families slept on thin mattresses They cooked their made from straw, usually allon the children slepteasy in Most people ate mainly potatoes because food a fire atthey were to grow even on bad landone and bed you could grow lots of one end of the potatoes in just a little space. They would eat the potatoes Inside these houses there was usually room. from a flat basket placed on the floor. They didn’t use forks only one room. Families lived all or knives. You ate all the potato including the skin because together in this room. inside oflittle a nobody could afford to waste food. The People ate very one roomed like this; they meat, eggs, fish, fruitcabin or otherlooked vegetables because couldn’t afford them, they had to keep any money they had to pay their rent to the landlord or they would be evicted.

Potatoes were a very good for poor Irish people. They had lots of vitamins

Potatoes were a very good for poor Irish people. They had lots of vitamins and minerals and a small amount of potato filled people up for a long time. Potatoes were very cheap and easy to grow. They even grew very well in bad soil so even people living in places where other crops didn’t grow well could grow a lot of potatoes. The potato meant that poor people had food. They didn’t have a huge amount of food but they had enough to eat to keep them healthy and feed their children. That was until the summer of 1845….

What was the famine? • Between 1845 and 1852, a fungal disease affected farms

What was the famine? • Between 1845 and 1852, a fungal disease affected farms across Ireland. • The potato harvest failed for seven years! • As a result, about 60% of the population faced starvation or died from malnutrition (not enough food/vitamins).

William Trench, an agent who worked for a landlord in Co. Cork wrote this

William Trench, an agent who worked for a landlord in Co. Cork wrote this about the Blight; “The leaves of the potatoes on many fields I passed were quite withered, and a strange stench, such as I had never smelt before, but which became a well-known feature in “the blight” for years after, filled the atmosphere adjoining each field of potatoes. The crop of all crops, on which they depended for food, had suddenly melted away”

Today’s Task • Create a table explaining the three causes of the famine: •

Today’s Task • Create a table explaining the three causes of the famine: • Subdivision of land • Over population • Potato blight

Causes of the Famine – card sort Subdivision of Land Overpopulation Blight

Causes of the Famine – card sort Subdivision of Land Overpopulation Blight

The responses • You need to go around the room and find out the

The responses • You need to go around the room and find out the five responses to the famine. In your book: Response one: Response two: ETC

Results of the famine 1. Fall in Population: Fell by 2 million. 1 Mil

Results of the famine 1. Fall in Population: Fell by 2 million. 1 Mil from hunger and disease & 1 Mil emigrated. The Cottiers and labourers were the biggest hit, and the most effected area was the west of Ireland. 2. Subdivision Ended: Dividing the land between sons was stopped. Instead the eldest son got the farm after the father died, the others either got a job elsewhere or emigrated. Because it took longer to get the land, sons married later. This led to fall in population. 3. Decline of the Irish Language: As it was the west of Ireland that was effected most the Irish language declined as it was strongest in these areas. Mr. Jenkins

Migration to Britain or America? My name is Sean Murphy. My family have been

Migration to Britain or America? My name is Sean Murphy. My family have been suffering in the potato famine but we have an opportunity to emigrate. The problem is, we don’t know where to go! Should we go to Britain or America? Can you help us with a list of pros and cons to help us decide? Mr. Jenkins

America or Britain? Draw the table below Country America Britain Pros Cons

America or Britain? Draw the table below Country America Britain Pros Cons

Trip to America is expensive Religious freedom in America Strong Irish communities in Britain,

Trip to America is expensive Religious freedom in America Strong Irish communities in Britain, particularly Liverpool British jobs are low-paid in crowded towns Increased wealth and better standard of living in America Lots of jobs in Britain Trip to America is expensive Lots of opportunities in America

Plenary – why did this cause so much suffering? What was the result for

Plenary – why did this cause so much suffering? What was the result for Irish people?