Does anyone know an example a British policiry that had the intent to destroy Irish industries during the Irish potato famine (that is considered to be genocide)?
Check these sites.
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/irish_potato_famine.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_of_the_Great_Irish_Famine
http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/begins.htm
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To address your question about British policies during the Irish Potato Famine, it is essential to look at historical sources and examine different perspectives. While there is no clear evidence that the intent of British policies was to intentionally destroy Irish industries or commit genocide, there were policies and attitudes that worsened the impacts of the famine. The Irish Potato Famine, also known as the Great Famine (1845-1852), was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration caused by a potato crop failure in Ireland.
During this time, Britain, as the ruling colonial power, had significant authority in Ireland. However, it is important to note that the causes and consequences of the famine are complex, involving factors such as economic policies, land distribution, societal inequality, and inadequate relief efforts. There are several historical arguments and perspectives on how British policies influenced the famine and its severity:
1. Landlordism and British Policies: Ireland was heavily reliant on the potato crop, and the failure of the potato harvest led to widespread famine. British policies, such as the system of landlordism and absentee landlords, contributed to the impoverishment of Irish peasants. Many landlords were English or Anglo-Irish, and their primary focus was on maximizing profits from their lands. This led to tenant evictions, land consolidation, and limited investment in agricultural development. These policies exacerbated the vulnerability of the peasantry during the famine.
2. Economic Policies: The British government adhered to laissez-faire economic principles, which aimed to minimize state intervention in the economy. As a result, during the famine, there was limited state intervention in terms of providing relief and support to the starving population. The government believed that market forces would resolve the situation, leading to a delayed response to the crisis and exacerbating the suffering of the Irish people.
3. Exportation of Food: Although there was a failure of the potato crop, other food resources were available in Ireland. However, during the years of the famine, Ireland continued to export large quantities of food to Britain. Critics argue that this policy, driven by market forces rather than a deliberate intent to cause harm, exacerbated food shortages in Ireland and the suffering of the population.
It is important to note that the intent to commit genocide involves a deliberate attempt to destroy an ethnic, national, or religious group. While the British policies of the time contributed to the severe impact of the famine and worsened the suffering of the Irish population, the intent to destroy or eliminate the Irish people as a group is a more complex and subjective claim.
To further explore this topic, I recommend consulting reputable historical sources, academic research, and varying viewpoints to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding British policies during the Irish Potato Famine.