The Great Famine in Ireland: A Tragic History

• History
• Primary Education
• Secondary Education
• Age 12

The Great Famine in Ireland: A Tragic History

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will understand the causes, impact, and historical significance of the Great Famine in Ireland.

What do you already know about the Great Famine in Ireland?

Ireland Before the Famine

Ireland was primarily an agricultural society with a heavy dependence on potatoes as a staple crop.

Causes of the Famine

The failure of potato crops due to a fungal disease, known as late blight, led to widespread famine and devastation.

Impact on Population

The famine resulted in mass starvation, disease, and emigration, leading to a significant decline in the Irish population.

Response of British Government

The British government's response to the famine was criticized for being inadequate and exacerbating the suffering of the Irish people.

Relief Efforts and Charity

Various relief efforts and charity initiatives were undertaken to provide aid to the starving population.

Historical Significance

The Great Famine in Ireland had a profound impact on Irish history, culture, and demographics, shaping the nation's future development.

Test Your Knowledge

Take the following quiz to test your understanding of the Great Famine in Ireland.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.