The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine S01E02 - Episode 2: 1847 to 1852

Episode Overview

By late 1847, Ireland is in the grips of a devastating famine, claiming the lives of a million people. Those who manage to reach America strive to rebuild their shattered lives. Meanwhile, the British government insists that any further famine assistance for the Irish must be funded by taxes levied on local landlords. Unable or unwilling to pay, many landlords resort to evicting their desperate tenants, resulting in 500,000 evictions that force millions onto the streets. Cities become overcrowded with slums, workhouses overflow, and countless others flee the country. Ultimately, another million lives are lost in Ireland, decimating the poorest class. In America, the diaspora works tirelessly to improve their fortunes, while back in Ireland, a new generation seeks self-determination and the revival of their culture.