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A potato infected with late blight, showing typical rot symptoms. [Excerpt from Wikipedia]

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Late blight, also known as potato blight, is a potato and tomato disease caused by Phytophthora infestans, a fungus esque microorganism. Late blight was the disease that caused Ireland's great potato famine.

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In 1843 potato blight had been reported near the ports of New  York, and Philadelphia. In the following year, Belgium had seed potatoes imported from the United States, these seed potatoes were reported as diseased, shortly after a Belgian botanist, Desmazières, observed the blight. Reporting that the blight had significant impact on crop losses around Lille. Another report came in later from across the channel, at the port of Folkestone, Kent. These reports were the first to report of the blight crossing the Atlantic into North America.

In 1845, in august a potato blight was reported in Kent, England and on September 13th 1845 potato blight was reported in Ireland for the first time, reporting that a potato blight had ravaged the crops in Dublin, Ireland.

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Sir Robert Peel, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (30 August 1841 – 29 June 1846)

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In October of 1845, harvesting of potato crops started, reports began flooding in of diseased crops. Sir Robert Peel, the Prime Minister of Britain, called the reports, "very alarming" in a writing to Sir James Graham the British Home Secretary. Sir James Graham reminded Sir Robert Peel that the Irish news had a tendency of exaggeration. Reports of 15, great failures came in, Sir James Graham wrote that until digging was completed, the truth of the potato crops could not be ascertained.

On the 15th of October, Sir Robert Peel felt prompted to act, summoning an emergency meeting of his Cabinet scheduled for the 31st of October. The emergency meeting was met on October 31st until the 1st of November, in which they read reports of the potato failure, proposing for a relief commission to be established in Ireland. Disagreement arose during the meeting when Sir Robert Peel mentioned that such measures would require an advance of public funding. The purchasing of food for Ireland forced the Corn Laws to come into question. Specifically, it was asked if it was possible to take public funding for the sustenance of a people based on, "actual or apprehended scarcity" whilst maintaining the restrictions states by the Corn Laws. The question had split the Cabinet and Sir Robert Peel declared it as impossible. The overwhelming majority voted against Sir Robert Peel, and the Cabinet was adjourned until the 6th of November as they were unable to reach a decision.

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A meeting of the Anti-Corn Law League in Exeter Hall in London in 1846. [Excerpt from Wikipedia]

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The Corn Laws were tariffs and trade restrictions on imported corn to the United Kingdom in 1815 to 1846. "Corn", referring to the British English definition, all forms of cereal grain.

The Corn laws were instated to keep the price of corn high to the benefit of British corn producers. These laws made it unreasonable to export corn to Britain due to the high costs. The reception of these laws was poor in Urban Groups, as the Corn Laws only benefited those in political power or those owning land. It negatively impacted the general public by directly raising the price of foods and increasing living costs.

The Corn Laws were repealed in 1846 in a combined efforts of Sir Robert Peel and the Whigs in Parliament, despite the overwhelming opposition Sir Robert Peel had in his conservative party. The repeal resulted in the bottom 90% of income earners in the United Kingdom benefiting, whilst the top 10% lost income.

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Scene at Skibbereen during the Great Famine by Cork artist James Mahony, The Illustrated London News, 1847 [Excerpt from Wikipedia]

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The Irish Potato Famine [The Great Hunger]

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The Irish Potato Famine [The Great Hunger]

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The potato was Ireland's staple crop, leading to roughly half of Ireland's population most of which were poor, to depend on potatoes almost exclusively in their diet. However, in 1845 late blight had made it's way to Ireland, after North American ships accidentally brought it overseas. In the year it had arrived, Ireland was experiencing unusually moist weather for their lands, which rapidly propelled the spread of late blight. The disease devastated crops year after year and the Irish people were no exception, a famine of such proportion perpetuates the spread of diseases such as typhoid and cholera, leaving millions to die and starve over the course of seven long years.

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During the seven long years of The Great Hunger, many were forced to immigrate to other lands. The vast majority wanted to go to America, but fares were much cheaper on Canadian ships. Leading many to land in Canada and crossing the U.S.-Canadian border into Maine. American ships landed in the eastern United States, in locations such as New York, Vermont, and Maine. Britain and Australia were also emigrated to in mass during this time. Over 1 million Irish emigrated as effect of the potato famine, resulting in Ireland loosing a quarter of it's population.

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Anti-Irish Drawing by John Tenniel for the Punch Magazine, December 28th 1867

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American's viewed the Irish very poorly, criticizing their manners, public drinking behavior, and their Catholicism. This is additional to the unfortunate fact that the Irish came to America poor and disease ridden. The reception and interpretations same persisted in other lands. The Irish were commonly barred from service of any kind and in poorer locations physical attacks occured.