Fact Check: irish patetato famine is a genocide

The Claim: "The Irish Potato Famine is a genocide"

Introduction

The assertion that the Irish Potato Famine, also known as the Great Famine (1845-1852), constitutes a genocide has sparked considerable debate among historians, scholars, and the public. This claim suggests that the British government's response to the famine, characterized by neglect and mismanagement, amounted to an intentional act of genocide against the Irish people. This article will explore the complexities surrounding this claim, examining various perspectives and the evidence presented by different sources.

What We Know

1. Historical Context: The Great Famine resulted from a potato blight that devastated the primary food source for a significant portion of the Irish population. Between 1845 and 1850, it is estimated that over one million people died from starvation and related diseases, while another million emigrated from Ireland, leading to a drastic population decline 15.

2. British Response: During the famine, large quantities of food were exported from Ireland, despite the widespread starvation. Critics argue that this reflects a lack of adequate response from the British government, which was responsible for Ireland at the time 58.

3. Definitions of Genocide: The term "genocide" is defined by the United Nations as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. The debate hinges on whether the British government's actions (or inactions) during the famine meet this definition 310.

4. Scholarly Opinions: Some historians argue that the famine was exacerbated by British policies and could be classified as genocide due to the deliberate neglect of the Irish population 89. Conversely, many scholars reject this characterization, asserting that the famine was primarily a natural disaster compounded by economic policies rather than a calculated attempt to exterminate the Irish people 67.

Analysis

The claim that the Irish Potato Famine constitutes a genocide is supported by various sources, each presenting differing interpretations of historical events:

• Supporting Sources:

  • An article from PDXScholar discusses the alignment of the Irish Hunger with the 1948 Genocide Convention, suggesting that the British response to the famine could be viewed through a genocidal lens due to the consequences of their policies 3.
  • Another source argues that the British government’s actions during the famine reflect a form of "genocide by liberal economics," implying that the economic policies in place led to the suffering of the Irish people [4](https://www.ou.edu/content/dam/cas/history/docs/journal/Velasco - Genocide by Liberal Economics.pdf).

• Contradicting Sources:

  • The Washington Post published an opinion piece stating that the famine should not be classified as genocide, emphasizing that most historians reject this interpretation and that the famine was primarily a result of natural disaster rather than intentional harm 67.
  • The New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians also discusses the famine's impact but stops short of labeling it genocide, focusing instead on the historical significance and the suffering endured by the Irish people 10.

Source Reliability

• Academic Sources: Articles from academic institutions (like PDXScholar) and peer-reviewed journals generally provide a more rigorous analysis and are likely to be more reliable than opinion pieces or less formal publications.
• Opinion Pieces: Publications like The Washington Post offer valuable perspectives but may reflect the biases of the authors. The opinions expressed may not represent a consensus among historians and should be critically evaluated.
• Historical Context: Wikipedia serves as a starting point for understanding the Great Famine but should be supplemented with more authoritative sources due to its open-edit nature.

Methodology Concerns

The methodologies employed in assessing whether the famine constitutes genocide vary widely. Some sources rely on historical narratives and interpretations of intent, while others focus on the consequences of British policies. A more comprehensive analysis would benefit from a systematic review of primary historical documents from the period, as well as a broader range of scholarly opinions.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that the Irish Potato Famine constitutes a genocide is partially true, as it reflects a complex interplay of historical events, governmental policies, and interpretations of intent. Evidence suggests that British actions during the famine, particularly the export of food amidst widespread starvation, could be viewed as neglectful and harmful, aligning with some definitions of genocide. However, significant scholarly debate exists, with many historians arguing that the famine was primarily a natural disaster exacerbated by economic policies rather than a deliberate attempt to exterminate the Irish population.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations in the available evidence. The classification of the famine as genocide depends heavily on interpretations of intent and the definitions applied, which can vary widely among scholars. As such, the conclusion remains nuanced, and readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information and consider multiple perspectives on this historical tragedy.

Sources

1. Great Famine (Ireland) - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_(Ireland)
2. Part 2 - Was the Great Irish Famine an Act of Nature? https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/gifcfamnature2.pdf
3. The Irish Hunger and its Alignments with the 1948 Genocide. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?httpsredir=1&article=1072&context=younghistorians
4. Genocide by Liberal Economics? The British Response to the Irish Famine. https://www.ou.edu/content/dam/cas/history/docs/journal/Velasco - Genocide by Liberal Economics.pdf
5. ERIC - ED439056 - The Great Irish Famine. 2nd Edition., 1999. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED439056
6. Opinion | IRELAND'S FAMINE WASN'T GENOCIDE - The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1997/09/17/irelands-famine-wasnt-genocide/ac7f1aa9-123c-47ac-a9b0-7c2cab697d37/
7. Opinion | THE IRISH FAMINE: COMPLICITY IN MURDER - The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1997/09/27/the-irish-famine-complicity-in-murder/5a155118-3620-4145-951e-0dc46933b84a/
8. Was the Irish Famine Genocide? - by Bagtown Clans. https://talesofforgottenirishhistory.substack.com/p/was-the-irish-famine-genocide
9. Was the Irish Famine genocide by the British? https://www.irishcentral.com/news/irish-famine-genocide-british
10. Did the Irish “Potato Famine” Constitute a Genocide? — New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians. https://www.nyaoh.com/nys-aoh-history-journal/did-the-irish-potato-famine-constitute-a-genocide