175 years on - Does Black '47 & the Great Hunger still matter?
Irish History Podcast
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The Great Hunger of 18 Forty Seven
In 18 forty six, the great hunger started to develop into an event that would transform ireland. Given the poor were all working on public works programs in the winter of 18 forty six into 18 forty seven, the land had not been planted for a new crop. Black forty seven did actually begin with the faintest of hopes the government would finally abandon their public works program early in that year and adopt a dramatically different approach. They saw them open soup kitchens across the island to feed the poor extremely cheaply. The soup did leave a lot to be desired, but it helped people survive famine. Debts, which had been soaring through late 18 Forty Six, began to drop. However, the great
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