The Irish famine of 1740–1741: causes and effects

This paper advances the current debate on causes and effects of famines. Since Sen's food entitlement decline theory emerged in the 1980's, climate and environmental factors are widely excluded in famine analysis. Studying the causation and the processes of famines as well as the adaptations to it before the 20th century will enhance modern famine theories and lead to a rethinking of the role of climate/environmental aspects in current research. In our case study, the "Famine Vulnerability Analysis Model" (FVAM) serves as an explanatory model and will open up new perspectives on famines. Special emphasis will be put on the Europe-wide crises of 1740–1741, with a focus on the famine of the "great frost" in Ireland. The interaction of demographic, political, economic and environmental aspects is characteristic in this famine.