In this episode, I discuss the centuries long toxic relationship between Ireland and England that led up to the devastation of the potato famine in 1845. During the 7 year period of "The Great Hunger," one million Irish people died and two million left Ireland. But while the blight that caused the potatoes to rot may be considered a natural disaster, there was nothing natural about the circumstances leading up to the famine and the choices made during it. 

Sources: 

• Trinity College Dublin "Invasion of 1169"
• britishempire.co.uk "Ireland"
• History.com "After 168 Years, Potato Famine Mystery Solved" 
• Digital History "The Irish Potato Famine"
• UK Parliament "The Great Famine"
• Mises Institute "What Caused the Irish Potato Famine?"
• History.com "When America Despised the Irish"
• Iowa State Historical Society "Irish Immigration: Beyond the Potato Famine"
• New York Times "Irish Return an Old Favor, Helping Native Americans Battling the Virus"
• Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast "An Unnatural Disaster"

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