LEARNING INTENTIONS

• Describe the problems in Ireland that forced the Irish to move to Scotland

Ireland in the 1800s was similar in many ways to Scotland. Both countries had problems (push factors)

which forced people to move elsewhere

There were many reasons that Ireland in the 1800s

was very poor.

Like Scotland, the population had increased greatly by 1841 (doubling

to 8 million in only 50 years). This meant more people to feed and find

work.

Ireland’s economy was struggling too.

The Industrial Revolution had only a small effect in

Ireland, meaning less work.

Many Irish had worked from producing cloth to make

extra money. British factories did this at a

cheaper cost.

There were many land problems too.

Few Irish owned their own land. This meant they could be evicted or forced to pay higher

rents.

A growing population and new farming

methods increased land demand.

There were government problems in Ireland too.

Many people who ran Ireland did so from

London and had little knowledge of the country.

Ireland was also mostly Catholic, and strong anti-Catholic laws still existed.

In the 1800s the main crop grown in Ireland – and relied upon by the poor to eat – was

the potato.

Around half the people in Ireland ate

only potatoes. Any lack of potatoes was a disaster for the Irish.

From 1845-1852 the disease blight destroyed

the entire potato crop.

This affected many countries, including

Scotland. However Ireland was worst hit.

Around 1 million people starved to death or died from diseases caused by

hunger.

The Irish who stayed faced poverty and eviction.

Other Irish went into the workhouse although still

faced terrible living conditions.

The life they faced made many Irish leave,

sometimes to the UK or the USA.