📕 Chapter 3: A Long and Illustrious History
What caused the Irish famine in the 1840s?
Correct answer: The failure of the potato crop
A A war with England
✓ The failure of the potato crop
C A drought
D An earthquake
💡 Explanation
The Irish famine was caused by the failure of the potato crop due to disease.
Key facts to remember
- Act of Union 1801 created UK of Great Britain and Ireland
- Irish Famine 1840s — potato crop failed
- ~1 million died, ~1 million emigrated
- Famine increased resentment of British rule
- Home Rule movement led by Charles Stewart Parnell
- Home Rule bills repeatedly blocked in Parliament
Why this is the answer
From the official Life in the UK study material — 3.4.11 The Irish famine and Home Rule:
Ireland had been under English and then British control for centuries. In 1801, the Act of Union created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In the 1840s, Ireland suffered a devastating famine when the potato crop failed due to disease. About one million people died and another million emigrated, mainly to the United States. The population of Ireland fell dramatically.
The famine increased Irish resentment of British rule. Many Irish people campaigned for Home Rule — the right to govern their own affairs. The Home Rule movement was led by Charles Stewart Parnell. Although Home Rule bills were introduced in Parliament, they were repeatedly blocked. The issue of Irish self-governance would remain a major political question into the 20th century.
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