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Ireland in the 19th century: famine and Home Rule

Study note

Life for many people in Ireland was very hard during the 19th century. In the middle of the century the potato crop failed, and because so many people depended on it for food, this caused a terrible famine. About a million people died, and around another million and a half left Ireland altogether, many emigrating overseas. The cause to remember is the failure of the potato crop.

Out of this suffering the Irish Nationalist movement grew stronger. People disagreed about what they wanted. Some, such as the Fenians, demanded complete independence from Britain. Others, like Charles Stuart Parnell, campaigned for Home Rule, which meant Ireland having its own parliament while still remaining part of the United Kingdom. So link the Fenians with full independence and Parnell with Home Rule.

Memory tip: Irish famine = potato crop fails; Fenians want full independence; Parnell supports Home Rule.

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Question 1 of 3

What caused the famine in Ireland in the middle of the 19th century?

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Show all questions and answers for Ireland in the 19th century: famine and Home Rule(3 questions with explanations)

Ireland in the 19th century: famine and Home Rule: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. What caused the famine in Ireland in the middle of the 19th century?

    • An invasion
    • The failure of the potato crop
    • A great fire
    • A war with France

    Correct answer: The failure of the potato crop

    The potato crop failed, causing famine in which about a million people died.

  2. 2. What did supporters of 'Home Rule', such as Charles Stuart Parnell, want for Ireland?

    • A return to rule by clans
    • Its own parliament while remaining in the UK
    • Complete and immediate independence
    • Union with France

    Correct answer: Its own parliament while remaining in the UK

    Home Rule meant Ireland having its own parliament but staying part of the UK.

  3. 3. The Fenians favoured complete independence for Ireland.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. The Fenians wanted complete independence, unlike the Home Rule campaigners.

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