Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 3 The Irish Famine, 1843–51: The…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 36.2: Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 3 The Irish Famine, 1843–51: The impact of government response to the Famine; Peel’s response; Russell’s response; the Irish Poor Law Extension Act 1847; the problem of export of food from Ireland; the roles of Charles Edward Trevelyan and John Mitchel.
Government action shaped how the Famine was experienced.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Government action shaped how the Famine was experienced. Peel responded with secret purchases of Indian meal and a public works scheme, then repealed the Corn Laws in 1846. Russell relied on public works and soup kitchens before the Irish Poor Law Extension Act 1847 shifted relief onto Irish ratepayers through the poor law, extending outdoor relief but under strict conditions. Food continued to be exported while people starved, raising questions about market principles and laissez-faire. Trevelyan, as Treasury official, controlled spending and insisted on local funding. Mitchel, a Young Irelander, condemned British policy as deliberate destruction, a view later echoed in nationalist memory.
What earns the marks
- Explains Peel's response: secret maize purchases, public works and Corn Law repeal, and assesses their limited impact.
- Explains Russell's response: public works, soup kitchens and the 1847 Poor Law Extension Act, showing how relief shifted to Irish rates.
- Analyses the export of food during the Famine and links it to laissez-faire and moralist arguments about markets.
- Assesses Trevelyan's role in restricting Treasury spending and Mitchel's nationalist interpretation of government policy.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the Famine as purely natural and ignoring government policy.
Put it right by linking each response to its consequences.
Assuming all relief was free and generous.
Put it right by noting work tests, ratepayer funding and Treasury limits.
Presenting Mitchel's view as neutral fact.
Put it right by treating it as a nationalist interpretation to be evaluated.
Exam tips
- Link each named response to a specific impact on mortality, migration or land.
- Use Trevelyan and Mitchel as contrasting lenses on the same policy decisions.
- Judge whether government response was inadequate, hostile or constrained by ideology.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 36.2: Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 3 The Irish Famine, 1843–51: The impact of government response to the Famine; Peel’s response; Russell’s response; the Irish Poor Law Extension Act 1847; the problem of export of food from Ireland; the roles of Charles Edward Trevelyan and John Mitchel. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which measure did Sir Robert Peel's government introduce in 1845 to address the early food shortage in Ireland?
Listen
Government action shaped how the Famine was experienced. Peel responded with secret purchases of Indian meal and a public works scheme, then repealed the Corn Laws in 1846. Russell relied on public works and soup kitchens before the Irish Poor Law Extension Act 1847 shifted relief onto Irish ratepayers through the poor law, extending outdoor relief but under strict conditions. Food continued to be exported while people starved, raising questions about market principles and laissez-faire. Trevelyan, as Treasury official, controlled spending and insisted on local funding. Mitchel, a Young Irelander, condemned British policy as deliberate destruction, a view later echoed in nationalist memory. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains Peel's response: secret maize purchases, public works and Corn Law repeal, and assesses their limited impact. Explains Russell's response: public works, soup kitchens and the 1847 Poor Law Extension Act, showing how relief shifted to Irish rates. Analyses the export of food during the Famine and links it to laissez-faire and moralist arguments about markets. Assesses Trevelyan's role in restricting Treasury spending and Mitchel's nationalist interpretation of government policy. A common slip: Treating the Famine as purely natural and ignoring government policy. Instead, linking each response to its consequences. Exam tip: Link each named response to a specific impact on mortality, migration or land.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Government relief policy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Laissez-faire and market ideology
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Food export and moral economy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Nationalist memory and interpretation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Government relief policy
- Peel responded with secret purchases of Indian meal and a public works scheme, while Russell relied on public works and soup kitchens.
- Laissez-faire and market ideology
- Food continued to be exported while people starved, raising questions about market principles and laissez-faire.
- Food export and moral economy
- The problem of export of food from Ireland during the Famine raised questions about market principles and moralist arguments about markets.
- Nationalist memory and interpretation
- Mitchel condemned British policy as deliberate destruction, a view later echoed in nationalist memory.
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 36.2: Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 3 The Irish Famine, 1843–51: The impact of government response to the Famine; Peel’s response; Russell’s response; the Irish Poor Law Extension Act 1847; the problem of export of food from Ireland; the roles of Charles Edward Trevelyan and John Mitchel.
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