The Irish Potato Famine: Naturally Occurring Tragedy or Genocide

By Patricia Cassidy

Patricia Cassidy is an alum of Albany Law School, Class of 2020. She is from Westchester, New York and received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from SUNY Geneseo. After beginning her professional career in politics, she now works in financial compliance.

There is a long-standing debate amongst historians and politicians on whether or not the Irish Potato Famine should be classified as a genocide. The Potato Famine began as a natural occurrence brought about by a disease that wiped out most of Ireland’s potato crop. However, the criticism of the British Government stems from the events that occurred after the famine potato began.

Did the Government do enough to aid the colonized island? And does the lack of action by the British government constitute genocide? Historians look to crucial moments during the Famine to see if there was the requisite intent required for an event to be classified as genocide.

It is clear that both the Government and the British people were anti-Catholic. But whether or not Britain intended to destroy the Irish Catholics during the Potato Famine is less clear.

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