The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine (2020)

S1E1 Episode 1: 1845 to 1847

The episode examines the social, political, and economic factors that contributed to the famine, detailing the initial three years of the crisis in Ireland and across Europe. In Ireland, the British government's early measures effectively mitigated the famine's worst effects. However, with the arrival of John Russell's government in 1846, their approach becomes more rigid as they grapple with the repercussions of an economic downturn. As resources dwindle for the impoverished Irish population, the death toll skyrockets. In contrast, European authorities respond swiftly, minimizing the crisis's impact in their regions.