An Gorta Mor “The Great Hunger”

Ireland

The Emerald Isle

The Great Irish Potato Famine of the 1840’s is now recognized as the worst human disaster of 19th century Europe.

Discovery of the Potato Blight

Irish Village During the Famine

Families Being Evicted During the Famine

A Woman Evicted From Her Home

The Sketch of a Woman and Children represents Bridget O'Donnel. Her story is briefly this:-- “...we were put out last November; we owed some rent....they commenced knocking down the house. I was carried into a cabin, and lay there for eight days, when I had the creature (the child) born dead. The whole of my family got the fever, and one boy thirteen years old died with want and with hunger while we were lying sick.” The Sketch of a Woman and Children represents Bridget O'Donnel. Her story is briefly this:-- “...we were put out last November; we owed some rent....they commenced knocking down the house. I was carried into a cabin, and lay there for eight days, when I had the creature (the child) born dead. The whole of my family got the fever, and one boy thirteen years old died with want and with hunger while we were lying sick.”

Eviction & search for shelter Eviction & search for shelter

"'I started from Skibbereen and came to Clonakilty, in the vast number of famished poor, who flocked around the coach to beg was a woman carrying in her arms the corpse of a fine child, and making the most distressing appeal to the passengers for aid to enable her to purchase a coffin and bury her dear little baby. I learned from the people that each day brings dozens of such applicants into the town."

In 1841 the population of Ireland was 8.5 million people. By 1850, at least one million died in terrible conditions.

Another million emigrated as refugees.

Below deck on ‘Coffin Ship’

A New Life in a New Country

Arriving on the shore

Irish Immigrants Arrive in America

Irish Immigrant Family in America

Prejudice

Socratic Circle Discussion Essential Question: Did the British committ genocide during the Irish Potato Famine?

Terms Victor Hugo: Victor Hugo: French Novelist, wrote Les Miserables (also the Hunchback of Notre Dame) French Novelist, wrote Les Miserables (also the Hunchback of Notre Dame) Prime Minister: Prime Minister: The name of the individual who is the head of Parliament and the Executive branch in Great Britain The name of the individual who is the head of Parliament and the Executive branch in Great Britain Galapagos Islands: Galapagos Islands: The Island off the coast of South America that inspired “The Theory of Evolution” The Island off the coast of South America that inspired “The Theory of Evolution”