Blight of a Nation

Cause and Effect Essay # 4811

Agricultural Studies

Blight of a Nation

A look at the conflicting views over the causes and events of the Irish Potato Famine.

1,600 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the conflicting opinions surrounding the Potato Famine that destroyed Ireland's crop in the 1840's. Some issues that are discussed are: who is to blame for the catastrophe, what could have done to prevent it and just how many people were killed in the famine.

From the Paper:

"In the 1840 s, a fungus, Phytophthora infestans but commonly known as the blight, attacked and destroyed most of Ireland s potato crop. That is about the only fact that scholars and citizens alike agree upon. Ever since these events, debates have raged over nearly every aspect of the tragedy. One issue, albeit a small one, is what to call the events of the 40 s. The hottest battle, as is so often the case, is over who is to blame. Most theories revolve around the British, and range from claims of incompetence to outright accusations of genocide. More modern views focus on the inefficient system of landownership and rampant overpopulation of Ireland. Beyond culpability, is the question of what could have been done to either avert the tragedy or to lessen the suffering of those involved. Even the actual number of people who died as a result of either starvation or related diseases remains a mystery to this day. Certainly, none of these questions have easy answers; however, it is important to examine conflicting points of view in order to develop a full picture of the Great Hunger and the people it has touched."