The Great Famine of 1845With 3 million missing or dead on the island of Ireland, 1845 was probably the most painful year in its history. It was also obvious that something was afflicting Ireland, with the smell and sight of the crops. The death rate became high and immigration even higher during this period of famine. The Great Potato Famine of 1845 had a massive effect on Ireland in terms of population decline, population reactions, and the effects on Ireland's future. One of the largest and most detrimental effects of the famine was the decline in population. The decline in population has also been devastating to the population. While 8 million people left or died during the 1800s, famine was the main cause of this decline. At least a million people died. At least two million people immigrated during this period. And the death rate was higher than the birth rate. Besides the population, the famine had an effect on another aspect of Irish culture. Emigration was a powerful and obvious result of the famine. ("BRIA 26 2 The Potato Famine and Irish Immigration to America - Constitutional Rights Foundation.") A Frenchman named Gustave de Beaumont who traveled the country compared the Irish to "the Indian in his forest and the Chained Negro.” . . . In every country poor people can be discovered, but a whole nation of poor people is what was never seen until it was shown in Ireland. The famine gave the Irish a reason to leave Ireland. Along with the decrease in population, the family also decreased. Another effect of the famine was on the family. Along with the decrease in population, problems with families resulted. Marriage rates declined and family sizes declined as marriage rates also declined. Fewer children are born. Despite ...... middle of paper ...... Ireland – Becoming a Free State"). Finally, on Monday April 18, 1949, Ireland became the Republic of Ireland. (“Ireland – Becoming a Free State”) Now the Republic was formally free of allegiance to the Crown and a decline in anti-British sentiment. The economy began to grow, and with it, a new measure of political stability. (“Ireland – Becoming a Free State”) On December 14, 1955, the Republic joined the United Nations with the admission of other communist and non-communist nations. (“Ireland – Becoming a Free State”) The Great Famine was destructive and affected the population, people and future of Ireland. Although the Famine is a major event in Irish history, it is difficult to say what would have happened without it. Perhaps today there would be no Republic and Ireland would still be under the rule of the Crown. But without famine we would never know.