History Extra podcast What caused the Irish Famine?
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May 4, 2025 Padraic X Scanlan, author of 'Rot: A History of the Irish Famine,' delves into the devastating Irish Famine of the 1840s. He explains how a potato blight morphed into a catastrophic crisis due to the economic structures of the British Empire. Scanlan explores the potato's dual role as a lifeline and a symbol of poverty, while discussing the destructive societal impacts, including mass emigration and the disintegration of community bonds. His insights prompt a critical reevaluation of how historical and contemporary issues shape responses to ecological disasters.
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Ireland's Economic Vulnerability
- Ireland's economy was shaped by British control, forcing intense land subdivision to pay rent.
- The potato became a hyper-staple because it could grow on poor land and feed many in this precarious setting.
Potato as Symbol of Backwardness
- The potato symbolized Irish poverty and backwardness in British minds.
- British observers linked potato consumption to a primitive, uncivilized lifestyle, deepening cultural vilification.
Blight's Unexpected Return Fueled Catastrophe
- The potato blight was not unexpected given past crop failures and spread in Europe.
- The catastrophic famine began when the blight returned in 1846, a phenomenon unrecorded before.
