In the following essay I want to start with some statistics and graphics – the demographical view to this topic. But there are even some other important perspectives.
So the next step will be, to take a look at the historical embedment and how the environment had an impact on the people’s behaviour.
Concluding I want to give an answer to the question: why was such a huge amount of people making the decision to emigrate in the 19th century of Ireland?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definition
3. Situation in 1841: Pre-Famine Demographic and Poverty
4. Demographical Development
5. Historical embedment – the Famine
6. Imports and Exports - economical backround
7. Emigrationrates and places to go
8. Demographical change in summary
9. In Summary
9.1 Reasons to emigrate in the 19th century
9.2 Alternatives
10. Aftermaths
11. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the historical, social, and economic drivers of mass emigration from Ireland during the nineteenth century, focusing on the profound impact of the Great Famine. It addresses the central research question: why did such a massive number of people make the decision to emigrate from Ireland in the 19th century?
- The demographic collapse and poverty conditions in pre-famine Ireland.
- The chronological development and consequences of the Great Famine.
- Economic shifts regarding import and export trade balances during the crisis.
- The push and pull factors influencing Irish migration destinations.
- The long-term socio-political aftermaths for the Irish Diaspora.
Excerpt from the Book
Historical embedment – the Famine
1834 English poor law reform (relief should be given only in workhouses)
1845 August first reports of potato failure in England
9. Spt. Dublin Evening Post reports appearance of potato blight in Ireland
17. Okt. L.L. reports that the potato crop has failed almost everwhere in Ireland
15. Nov. half the potato crop is useless; deducting seed potato, the estimate that three-eights of the harvest will be available as food
20. Nov. first meeting of the ‘Irish famine relief commission, under former Under-Secretary Edward Lucas
1846 14. July Sir Randolph Routh, chairman of the Relief Commission, advises Trevelyan that disease is appearing again on potato crop
Aug. heavy autumn emigration
15. Aug. food depots and majority of public works close down on Trevelyan’s orders
17. Aug. O.M. Russell, in face of threat of merchant boycott of food imports into Ireland by government, stands by the principle of laissez-faire despite the Irish Famine
31. Aug. temporary Fever Act -> re-established in Feb. 1847 -> continues to Aug. 1850
29. Spt. food riot -> several people killed by military at Dungarvan
28. Dec. authorized opening of western food depots for sale of food at market price (which people cannot afford)
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: Presents the scope of the essay, outlining the intention to use statistics, demographics, and historical context to analyze the motivations behind 19th-century Irish emigration.
2. Definition: Provides a formal definition of emigration as a human movement driven by various push and pull factors, categorizing it as either a personal choice or a desperate necessity.
3. Situation in 1841: Pre-Famine Demographic and Poverty: Illustrates the correlation between poverty levels and agricultural structures in Ireland just before the onset of the Great Famine.
4. Demographical Development: Analyzes the radical demographic shift caused by the Famine, highlighting the rapid population decline between 1815 and 1845.
5. Historical embedment – the Famine: Provides a detailed chronological account of the events between 1834 and 1852, documenting the potato failure and subsequent societal collapse.
6. Imports and Exports - economical backround: Examines the changing economic relationship between Ireland and food imports, and the government's failed relief strategies.
7. Emigrationrates and places to go: Discusses the primary destinations for Irish emigrants, including the USA, Australia, Canada, and Britain.
8. Demographical change in summary: Summarizes the regional population losses across Ireland, noting that only a few urban areas like Dublin and Belfast saw growth.
9. In Summary: Consolidates the primary reasons for leaving, such as famine, disease, and poverty, while listing the limited alternatives available to the populace.
10. Aftermaths: Evaluates the political impact of the Famine and the creation of a global Irish Diaspora.
11. Conclusion: Summarizes the tragic reality of the period, concluding that emigration was often the only survival strategy for those trapped in a cycle of poverty and starvation.
Keywords
Irish Emigration, Great Famine, 19th Century, Poverty, Population Decline, Potato Blight, Diaspora, Laissez-faire, Poor Law, Famine Relief, Migration, Socio-economic crisis, Ireland, Demography, Mortality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this essay?
The essay examines the root causes of mass emigration from Ireland during the nineteenth century, with a specific emphasis on the catastrophic impact of the Great Famine.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include poverty, demographic changes, economic policies like laissez-faire, disease, government relief efforts, and the formation of the global Irish Diaspora.
What is the core research question?
The author seeks to answer why such a large proportion of the Irish population felt compelled to emigrate during the 19th century.
Which scientific method does the author employ?
The essay utilizes a historical-analytical approach, combining statistical data, graphical mapping, and chronological timelines to support its arguments.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It covers the pre-famine poverty, the chronological progression of the blight and government failures, import/export trade dynamics, and the subsequent migration patterns.
Which keywords characterize this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as Irish Emigration, Great Famine, Population Decline, Diaspora, and Socio-economic crisis.
How did the government's laissez-faire policy impact the famine?
The policy led to a lack of effective state intervention, forcing local bodies to handle the crisis despite having insufficient resources, which worsened the plight of the poor.
What were the consequences of the "coffin ships" mentioned in the text?
The cramped and unsanitary conditions on these ships led to rampant disease, causing up to 40% of steerage passengers to die during the journey or shortly after arrival.
What was the demographic significance of the 1851 census?
The census highlighted the devastating population collapse, showing a decrease of nearly 20% compared to 1841 due to high mortality rates and mass emigration.
- Arbeit zitieren
- MA Soziologie Gabriele Beyer (Autor:in), 2011, Irish emigration in the nineteenth-century, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/211089
