The Effects Of The Potato Famine

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What does famine mean? It is a situation in which people do not have enough food, according to Webster’s New World Dictionary. The great potato famine, however, was far more than just a lack of food. Its effects were felt around the world due to environmental conditions, agriculture practices and economic and political factors (Japikse, 1994). Famine still exists in today’s society, as does the potato blight from the largest crop manufacturers to the small family gardens in Wisconsin, but nothing comes close to the disaster experienced by the Irish. It was the injustices that caused the famine, Gorta Mor, The Great Hunger of 1845-52, as called by the Irish (Daly, 1996). The potato famine of 1846 was one of the biggest natural disasters in Irish history. The “explosive disease” said William Fry, Ph.D., caused by Phytophtera infestans, is a condition that prevents growth and destroys the plant by disease. P. infestans is a fungus-like pathogen that infects and destroys the leaves, stems, potato seed and the potato itself, turning it black and slimy (Craig, 1998). The first signs of blight are when leaves get brown specks on them that start to get white, hairy growth around them (Damsker, n.d.). In addition, leaves and stems withered very quickly. This if followed by a terrible smell. It spreads as a spore and grows rapidly in moist, warm and humid conditions. Today, the blight disease still affects potato crops. However, an application of the plant fungicide, metalaxyl, or copper sulfate mixtures and pesticide will prevent and eliminate or, at least, decrease the possibility of its appearance (Daly, 1996). In fact, according to Gibbon’s article in 2013, the pathogen and its host of dried leaves ar... ... middle of paper ... ...Irish and British people had bitter feelings towards one another. Many Irish were angry the English government did next to nothing to prevent the famine. Then when it happened the government turned their heads. The anger caused a rebellion in 1848 by a group called the Young Ireland party, saying Ireland wanted its own government (Results of the Great Famine, 2014). In conclusion, famine is still a part of the world today, but Gorta Mor of this level of devastation does not occur anymore. The same issues of environment, agriculture practices, economic and political factors are still part of famine today along with the appearance of the potato blight, too. Truth be told, the difference between then and now, however, is that technology is the medium to deliver images and descriptions faster and quicker so as to not let such devastation be experienced.

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