Potato Blight:
- Ireland's heavy reliance on the potato for food resulted in it becoming the primary target when a fungus-like organism known as Phytophthora infestans caused potato late blight.
- The blight decimated potato crops causing mass starvation.
British Policies:
- While Ireland faced famine, British policies prioritized profits for landowners over providing relief.
- Britain exported massive amounts of food from Ireland, including surplus grain, to pay off debts and generate income.
- The British government enforced oppressive policies, such as evicting tenants and using military force against those protesting for food.
- These actions further exacerbated the famine's impact.
It's important to note that although there was an abundance of fish in the ocean, the Irish were largely impoverished and lacked the means to access or process the fish. Additionally, the British government's policies focused on commercial fishing rather than providing food to relieve immediate needs.