Gobbet Commentary: Largest Catastrophe In Irish History
Gobbet Commentary: Great Famine
Undoubtedly known as the largest catastrophe in Irish History, The Great Famine has consequently become one of the most written about periods in Irish History. Much of the debate focuses on the lack of support from British Parliament to fund and implement government emergency programs to save Ireland from starvation and from the exodus of its citizens. Cormac Ó Gradá’s Statistical Tables From the Great Irish Famines provides empirical evidence that not only illustrates the political, economic, and social climate at the time but, also illustrates the consequences of the political and economic policy changes made during the Famine. In Table 2.3, Ó Gradá tracks grain exports and imports from 1844-1848 and immediately
illustrates the famine induced need for a new food source as exports are cut by roughly two fifths and imports are increased roughly seven fold from 1845-46. While this seven fold increase in grain imports is due to the need to supplement the losses due to the failure of the potato, it also starts to show the fiscal relief provided by the passing of Peel’s act to repeal the Corn Laws. This vast reduction of tariffs on imported grains also made the government transition from public works based relief to food-aid based relief in 1847 more affordable. The consequence of the newly implemented Soup Kitchen Act is reflected in the table, which shows that 889,000 tons of grains were imported in 1847. This nearly 32-fold increase from the import levels at the start of the famine finally shows drastic measures of relief being implemented by parliament. However, while there were huge increases in imports in 1847, Ireland was still exporting 146,000 tons of grains. While some of the profits from these exports were being used to finance cheaper imports, this was primarily an attempt by the farmers to try to keep trade routes open. However, farmers who were willing to export their grains from a starving Ireland infuriated parts of the Irish population.
In Table 3.3, Ó Gradá tracks crop acreage (potatoes, wheat, barley, and oats). The decrease in acres of potatoes planted from 2,100 acres in 1845, to 280 acres in 1846, shows that after the fungal infestation of the 1845 potato crop, the fear of another spoiled crop led many farmers to immediately stop growing potatoes. In contrast, the roughly 2.5 fold increase in acres of potatoes planted from 1846 to 1847 likely reflects the speculation of a healthier potato crop. However, while the 1847 potato crop did finally produce healthy yields, the acreage planted was so low it provided little relief. While we see a slight increase (~1.1 fold) in acres of potatoes planted by 1876, this is still less than half the acreage that had been planted at the start of the famine. Likewise the planted acreage of wheat, barley, and oats also decreased during the same time frame. Furthermore, crop acreage continued to decline into the early 20th century and illustrates Ireland’s industrialization, consolidation of farms, and transition from tillage to pasture.
Undoubtedly known as the largest catastrophe in Irish History, The Great Famine has consequently become one of the most written about periods in Irish History. Much of the debate focuses on the lack of support from British Parliament to fund and implement government emergency programs to save Ireland from starvation and from the exodus of its citizens. Cormac Ó Gradá’s Statistical Tables From the Great Irish Famines provides empirical evidence that not only illustrates the political, economic, and social climate at the time but, also illustrates the consequences of the political and economic policy changes made during the Famine. In Table 2.3, Ó Gradá tracks grain exports and imports from 1844-1848 and immediately
illustrates the famine induced need for a new food source as exports are cut by roughly two fifths and imports are increased roughly seven fold from 1845-46. While this seven fold increase in grain imports is due to the need to supplement the losses due to the failure of the potato, it also starts to show the fiscal relief provided by the passing of Peel’s act to repeal the Corn Laws. This vast reduction of tariffs on imported grains also made the government transition from public works based relief to food-aid based relief in 1847 more affordable. The consequence of the newly implemented Soup Kitchen Act is reflected in the table, which shows that 889,000 tons of grains were imported in 1847. This nearly 32-fold increase from the import levels at the start of the famine finally shows drastic measures of relief being implemented by parliament. However, while there were huge increases in imports in 1847, Ireland was still exporting 146,000 tons of grains. While some of the profits from these exports were being used to finance cheaper imports, this was primarily an attempt by the farmers to try to keep trade routes open. However, farmers who were willing to export their grains from a starving Ireland infuriated parts of the Irish population.
In Table 3.3, Ó Gradá tracks crop acreage (potatoes, wheat, barley, and oats). The decrease in acres of potatoes planted from 2,100 acres in 1845, to 280 acres in 1846, shows that after the fungal infestation of the 1845 potato crop, the fear of another spoiled crop led many farmers to immediately stop growing potatoes. In contrast, the roughly 2.5 fold increase in acres of potatoes planted from 1846 to 1847 likely reflects the speculation of a healthier potato crop. However, while the 1847 potato crop did finally produce healthy yields, the acreage planted was so low it provided little relief. While we see a slight increase (~1.1 fold) in acres of potatoes planted by 1876, this is still less than half the acreage that had been planted at the start of the famine. Likewise the planted acreage of wheat, barley, and oats also decreased during the same time frame. Furthermore, crop acreage continued to decline into the early 20th century and illustrates Ireland’s industrialization, consolidation of farms, and transition from tillage to pasture.