1. The growth of Irish Nationalism

2. The Famine  After the resignation of Peel in 1846, the new Whig government (led by Russell), appointed Charles Trevelyan to take control of Famine policy.  He was concerned that the Irish would become too dependent on the British government; he argued that “Irish property should support Irish poverty”

3. Laissez-Faire  Trevelyan believed that Peel`s policy of providing cheap Indian corn meal through food depots to the Irish was wrong, as it undercut market prices and discouraged private food dealers from importing food.  When the harvest of 1846 was affected by blight panic set in; the free market relief plan depended on peasants earning money through public works employment and using it to buy food. However, their wages were too low.

4. Laissez-Faire  Trevelyan`s policy of public works failed; In February and March 1847, 700,000 worked at useless projects while never earning enough to halt starvation.  Between March and June 1847, the British government gradually closed all the public works projects through Ireland. The government decided to feed the Irish through soup kitchens.  Demand exceeded supply; in Killarney there was just 1 kitchen for 10,000 persons.

5. Results  Rebellion 1848; Young Ireland blamed the British. Ideas of Fintan Lalor and the focus on an Independent Irish Republic  Focus on land.  Emigration; Fenian Movement 1858  Any others ?

6. Nationalism  How does the Famine feed nationalism ?  Look at this short video and assess its impact.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEz5m S_XQcQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEz5m S_XQcQ