No event has had such a (36) effect in shaping the attitude of the Irish people towards the British as the Irish Famine. Looking back on the famine, the most (37) fact was that it should ever have reached such (38) . Although the potato crop failed there was plenty of food left in Ireland, and while thousands died some of it was being (39) . Even if the local organizations for dealing with a (40) of such magnitude were completely inadequate, more positive and (41) action by the British Government could have (42) some of the worst effects. In the light of the large (43) Government relief projects undertaken today, the supreme irony of all was that the richest nation in Europe should have allowed one of the poorest to starve on its doorstep.
Yet the famine looked very different through nineteen-century eyes. (44) in fact, were regarded as almost scared. (45) .
In the case of the Irish famine, it was argued, the Government had done all it could to help.
This argument may or may not be valid; but a little more humanity shown by the Government could have done no harm, (46) .
The violent overthrow of the British rule was increasingly advocated, and hatred of Britain grew. Few Irish families had not been severely hit by the famine, and there were even fewer who did not lay the blame fairly and directly at Britain’s door.