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Trevelyan also said famine was an “effective mechanism for reducing surplus population.”
That theory is nonsensical, the British didn't plan the famine, it was a natural disaster. The British mechanism for population control was to encourage migration to their colonies which in turn would help with their development.
Instead of being victims of Empire, the Irish were very much the tools of empire. Millions willingly played a direct role in colonising, enslaving and wiping out various regions of the world on behalf of the British Empire, the USA, and several other places such as Argentina.
It's funny that the Irish diaspora around the world are celebrated while the Scots diaspora in Ireland are demonized.
Someone has to fill me in here. Are the Brits always right? Was the IRA evil or were they freedom fighters who were tired of British "slavery" which defines the history of Ireland.
I am confused because when I visited family in Belfast they too me to the IRA Cemetery and it seems they exalted the dead.
Maybe some more material about the Brit treatment of the Irish needs to go in the history books? Like the fact that Irish families and children starved while, behind a fence nearby, the finest beef and pork were being grown for export to London?
"quotes damning the Irish used by Sir Charles Trevelyan, who notoriously said “the judgement of God sent the calamity to teach Irish a lesson.”
Trevelyan also said famine was an “effective mechanism for reducing surplus population.”
The famine was an entirely separate era from the IRA. Was there residual anger about the 19th century treatment of the Irish by the British that was used by the IRA? Absolutely. But it is far too simplistic to say that the IRA, especially of the latter 20th century, were freedom fighters. That is a quality that Irish Americans often imbued them with, while ignoring that the IRA was also run like an organized crime syndicate/street gang that ran roughshod over Irish Catholics in the North. Their 'protection' of Catholics wasn't free or without condition. They exploited the Troubles for their own benefit.
This is not to say that Protestant paramilitaries were blameless, the same would apply to them. And the British made a complete *******s of the public perception of their presence there, but they were not the sole reason for the Troubles.
The famine was an entirely separate era from the IRA. Was there residual anger about the 19th century treatment of the Irish by the British that was used by the IRA? Absolutely. But it is far too simplistic to say that the IRA, especially of the latter 20th century, were freedom fighters. That is a quality that Irish Americans often imbued them with, while ignoring that the IRA was also run like an organized crime syndicate/street gang that ran roughshod over Irish Catholics in the North. Their 'protection' of Catholics wasn't free or without condition. They exploited the Troubles for their own benefit.
This is not to say that Protestant paramilitaries were blameless, the same would apply to them. And the British made a complete *******s of the public perception of their presence there, but they were not the sole reason for the Troubles.
The British Army were the meat in the sectarian sandwich.. or how they were described.. sent in to keep the peace with people who didnt appreciate them.. and what they were sent to do ... to help keep the peace... when it comes right down to it these people liked fighting even my old granny told me this when I was young.. she as Irish and said the fighting would never stop with them as they like fighting..
Someone has to fill me in here. Are the Brits always right? Was the IRA evil or were they freedom fighters who were tired of British "slavery" which defines the history of Ireland.
"Slavery"? This is indicative of the warped view Americans have. The IRA were a terrorist organisation representing themselves. The majority in Northern Ireland wanted to remain in the UK. They were wanting their way against the majority by force and death.
The Canadian, Australians and New Zealanders did not resort to killing to get their way.
Someone has to fill me in here. Are the Brits always right? Was the IRA evil or were they freedom fighters who were tired of British "slavery" which defines the history of Ireland.
I am confused because when I visited family in Belfast they too me to the IRA Cemetery and it seems they exalted the dead.
Maybe some more material about the Brit treatment of the Irish needs to go in the history books? Like the fact that Irish families and children starved while, behind a fence nearby, the finest beef and pork were being grown for export to London?
"quotes damning the Irish used by Sir Charles Trevelyan, who notoriously said “the judgement of God sent the calamity to teach Irish a lesson.”
Trevelyan also said famine was an “effective mechanism for reducing surplus population.”
That last famine was just 173 years ago and killed half the Irish population. Many believe the potato blight disease that destroyed a main staple of their diet, had been deliberately brought in and spread by the English. Those Anglo-Saxons had waged a campaign of genocide against all the Celtic people within their reach, for many centuries. Is there any wonder that resistance movements sprang up?
That last famine was just 173 years ago and killed half the Irish population. Many believe the potato blight disease that destroyed a main staple of their diet, had been deliberately brought in and spread by the English. Those Anglo-Saxons had waged a campaign of genocide against all the Celtic people within their reach, for many centuries. Is there any wonder that resistance movements sprang up?
Like most Americans, you haven't got a clue about the true history of Ireland. I bet you drink green beer on St. Patrick's day, and sing rebel songs huh?
'Many believe' huh? Is that like in 'I heard......'?
I was just reading elsewhere, about on hearing the news of Hitler's death, the Irish Prime Minister, Eamon de Valera, went to the German Embassy, and signed the book of condolences. Great folks those Irish huh?
Last edited by English Dave; 02-24-2019 at 01:56 AM..
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