The potato famine in Ireland caused many to face starvation of if they could afford it leave the country and go to the United States.
The potato famine, referred to as the Great Famine in Ireland, caused potato destruction from 1845-1849. A disease attacked the potatoes causing the potatoes to die and create no crop. Farmers relied on the production of potatoes to survive both from sale and to eat. Many Irish starved to death or struggled to survive on very little. Those that could afford to leave, did so. Many Irish arrived in the US to find jobs in cities or begin farming new lands opening in the Midwest.
