This document summarizes two major famines: the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1852 and the Indian Great Famine of 1876-1878. For the Irish famine, the key causes were a potato blight, British policies that exported other crops from Ireland, and Irish farmers not owning their land. Over 1 million Irish died of starvation and another 1 million emigrated to America. For the Indian famine, drought led to crop failures while crops were still exported to Europe under British colonial rule. Over 5 million died from starvation and disease, with total deaths estimated between 6-10 million. Both famines had lasting social, ethical, political, economic, and environmental impacts.

1. Famines in History Presentation by: Mitch Aden Agron 342

2. Irish Potato Famine Most Famous Famine Began in 1845 Around 90% of Potatoes Ruined 2 nd year Ireland’s location in Europe http://www.ireland-map.co.uk/maps/location-of-ireland-in-europe.gif

3. Irish Potato Famine Causes Late Potato Blight British Policies Wheat and Beef Exported to England Irish Farmers Did Not Own Land Late Potato Blight http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2007/01/070102132649.jpg

4. Irish Potato Famine Effects Deaths from Starvation Estimated at One Million Immigrants to America Estimated at One Million Depiction of an Attach on a Potato Store http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/17/99517-004-06CEDF53.jpg

5. India Great Famine 1876 – 1878 India a British Colony Land Controlled by British Map Containing India and Britain www.maps.google.com

6. India Great Famine Causes Drought Crops Exported to Europe Minimal Relief Effort Indian Famine Victims http://www.rageboy.com/mbimages/india-famine-family-crop-420.jpg

7. India Great Famine Effects Over Five Million Deaths From Starvation and Disease Between 6 and 10 Million Deaths Total Malaria contributed to many deaths during this period http://patentdocs.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/24/malaria_special.jpg

8. Implications Of Each Social Ethical Political Economic Environmental Lasting Effects

9. Resources Dwyer, Gerald and Lindsay Cotton. (1984). Robert Giffen and the Irish Potato. The American Economic Review. Volume 74, Issue 1 (Mar 1884) 188-192. Fraser, Evan. (2003). Social Vulnerability and Ecological Fragility: Building Bridges between Social and Natural Sciences Using the Irish Potato Famine as a Case Study. Conservation Ecology. Volume 7, Issue 2 (Oct 2003) Article 9. Liption, Peter. (1993). Making a Difference. Philosophica. Cambridge University. “ Famine in India” (August 2008). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famine_in_India . Accessed November 12 th , 2008.