ANTH 266 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Great Famine (Ireland), Phytophthora Infestans, Industrial Revolution
4 Dec 2017
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3 case studies: the great irish potato famine. Cause: outbreak of agricultural pest in 1850s, potato crop failed before. There were social, economic, and demographic pressures, so the poor of ireland had 3 choices: become dependent on agricultural production, become a landless laborer, emigrate to another country. Those who stayed clung to the potato, which was an efficient source of nutrition for the people. It was the only viable crop for the poorest people: fungal pathogen phytophthora infestans attacked the potatoes that these millions of people depended on :( 75% of next year"s crop failed, and the disease reappeared in 1848 and 1849. 2 million people lost their lives, families, or homes, and the population fell until there was only 25% left: the late victorian famines in asia. 12-30 million indians, 20-30 million chinese, 2 million brazilians died of famine. El ni o induced droughts that led to quickly spreading diseases and massive famines.
