Book Review: The Famine Plot: England’s Role in Ireland’s Greatest Tragedy

As we look to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the many ways our culture provides, it might be an approriate time to reflect on the history of Ireland. 

The Irish Potato Famine of the mid-19th century remains one of the most devastating events in modern history. While the human suffering it caused is undeniable, the blame for the disaster has long been a topic of contentious debate. In The Famine Plot: England’s Role in Ireland’s Greatest Tragedy, Tim Pat Coogan offers a compelling and persuasive argument that British government policies played a central role in amplifying the tragedy, which ultimately resulted in the deaths of over a million people and the displacement of millions more. While the British empire was known for its brutality and indifference, it might surprise some the extent to which this was directed at their closest neighbors. 

Coogan’s meticulously researched book highlights the sinister and callous role played by British authorities during this dark chapter in Irish history. Throughout the book, readers are presented with a masterful examination of the complex interplay between imperialism, politics, and human suffering, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the roots of Irish hardship.

A Powerful Narrative Rooted in History

Coogan, an accomplished Irish historian and journalist, is best known for his work on Irish history, and this book stands as a significant contribution to the field. Drawing on an impressive array of primary sources, including government documents, personal letters, and historical accounts, Coogan paints a vivid picture of the events surrounding the famine and the profound impact it had on Ireland.

While many works on the Irish Famine have focused on the human suffering of the Irish population, Coogan places the blame squarely on the shoulders of the British Empire. The core of The Famine Plot centers on the actions (and inactions) of the British government, which exacerbated the effects of the famine through a combination of indifference, negligence, and even deliberate exploitation. C

Coogan argues that the British government, under the leadership of figures like Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel and his successor Lord John Russell, failed to provide adequate relief during the famine years. Instead, they pursued policies that prioritized the interests of the British imperial economy over the lives of the Irish people. One of the most convincing aspects of Coogan’s argument is his critique of British economic policies, which he contends were responsible for the widespread suffering.

For one, the British government’s insistence on maintaining a free market, even in the face of a massive humanitarian crisis, ensured that food remained scarce and expensive for the Irish poor. Despite the abundance of grain and other foodstuffs in Ireland, these resources were exported to England and other parts of the empire, leaving the Irish population to starve. The government’s refusal to intervene in this market system, despite the growing famine, is a central theme of Coogan’s work.

"The famine affected all parts of Ireland. But another of its fingerprints, a strange reluctance to acknowledge this fact, grew up among Irish historian and in various parts of the country. In the Protestant North, for example, even today some still regard the Famine as something that happened to the Catholics, God's punishment for their feckless ways."

Coogan argues that the Irish historians were silent on the issue because they went along with the governments policies regarding the war in Northern Ireland, and had banned any media that could be interpreted as supporting the IRA. 

Coogan also examines the moral indifference of British officials during the famine. Figures like Charles Trevelyan, who was responsible for overseeing famine relief efforts, are depicted as callous and uninterested in alleviating the suffering of the Irish people. Trevelyan’s infamous belief that the famine was “God’s punishment” for Ireland’s alleged moral failings encapsulates the Victorian-era attitude toward poverty and suffering. Coogan contrasts this heartless bureaucracy with the efforts of Irish individuals and organizations who tried, often in vain, to provide aid to those affected by the famine. 

Sharp Critique of British Imperialism

While Coogan’s book is a historical analysis of the Irish Famine, it's chief contribution is the scathing critique of British imperialism. The Famine Plot shines a light on how the economic and political structures of the British Empire actively contributed to the suffering of colonized peoples. Coogan argues that British officials had to frame the Irish as a lesser people, not deserving of the same humanitarian considerations afforded to other parts of the empire. This sense of racial and cultural superiority, Coogan suggests, led to a systematic neglect of Irish lives, culminating in one of the most horrific genocides in modern history. Coogan’s portrayal of British officials as callous and indifferent to the plight of the Irish is unflinching, and his condemnation of their actions is thorough and well-supported by evidence.

"The scale of the horror of the Famine was such that the English historian A. J. P. Taylor compared the state of the country to that of the infamous German concentration camp...Most historians would argue that Taylor exaggerated, but the honest anger of a fair-minded Englishman who incidentally was reviewing the work of an equally fair-minded Englishwoman, (The Great Hunger), is preferable to the type of 'colonial cringe' which which too many Irish historians have approached the topic." (Coogan, p.161).

This critique of British imperialism is not a new one, but Coogan’s work stands out for its clarity and accessibility. Unlike some academic works, The Famine Plot is written in a style that is engaging and easy to follow, making it a perfect introduction for general readers interested in the history of Ireland and British imperialism. Coogan’s prose is sharp and incisive, and his arguments are persuasive without being overly academic. This makes the book accessible to a wide audience, from casual readers to history buffs.

A Must-Read History Buffs

Books like Coogan's are so important because they prevent the whitewashing of history by those with the most power. For general readers interested in the Irish Famine, it's an indispensable resource. Coogan’s work is not only an eye-opening historical account but also a powerful critique of British imperialism, exposing details of the treachery that has been overlooked by countless other authors. His clear, accessible writing style makes the book suitable for a wide range of readers, from those with no prior knowledge of the famine to those already familiar with the history. 

Coogan’s ability to bring historical events to life, and his unflinching criticism of British policies, make his book standout in the genre of Irish history. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student of imperialism, or someone interested in the Irish struggle for independence, The Famine Plot offers a deeply moving and thought-provoking exploration of one of the darkest chapters in the history of Great Britain. It is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

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Other Good Reads: 

Another powerful book that explores the lasting effects of the British Empire's tragic treatment of its colonies is The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon. Originally published in 1961, Fanon’s work examines the psychological and social consequences of colonization, arguing that the colonial system left deep scars on the psyche of both the colonizer and the colonized. Fanon’s insights extend far beyond his time, highlighting how the structures of oppression and exploitation set in motion during the imperial era continue to shape economic disparities, racial tensions, and global inequalities today. He argues that the legacy of British colonial policies, including forced labor, cultural erasure, and systemic poverty, still reverberates across former colonies, manifesting in contemporary struggles for identity, justice, and independence. The book remains a key reference in discussions about post-colonialism, offering a stark reminder of how the British Empire’s actions continue to impact the social and political landscape of many nations.

Empireland: How Britain Made the Modern World by Sathnam Sanghera was published in 2021, and critically examines the enduring influence of Britain’s colonial past on its modern-day political, economic, and social systems. He argues that the British Empire's legacy is still deeply embedded in the country's institutions, from economic policies that continue to prioritize profit over people, to a political culture that often downplays or ignores the negative impact of imperialism. Sanghera explores how the entrenched power structures, shaped by colonialism, are still present in British governance, particularly in areas like immigration policy, global trade, and racial inequality. Through a blend of historical analysis and personal narrative, Empireland uncovers how current political forces in Britain are, in many ways, still haunted by the same exploitative policies that once governed its empire.