How Social and Historical Factors Affect Population Change: The West of Ireland
It is often the case that historical events can impact on the population growth of a region. The West of Ireland is a very sparsely populated region. A significant factor to consider in this instance is the potato famine which occurred in Ireland in 1845. The West of Ireland was the worst affected region. One million people migrated to Dublin and the USA and a further one million died from starvation (these figures are estimates).
After the famine:
1. Many people had relatives who had emigrated and found a better life. This encouraged further emigration
2. Farmers ceased the subdivision of land and began to give their land to one heir (instead of splitting land between all sons they only gave it to one). This resulted in the migration of the sons who had not inherited land
3. People delayed marriage more which resulted in a drop in birth rates
It is often the case that historical events can impact on the population growth of a region. The West of Ireland is a very sparsely populated region. A significant factor to consider in this instance is the potato famine which occurred in Ireland in 1845. The West of Ireland was the worst affected region. One million people migrated to Dublin and the USA and a further one million died from starvation (these figures are estimates).
After the famine:
1. Many people had relatives who had emigrated and found a better life. This encouraged further emigration
2. Farmers ceased the subdivision of land and began to give their land to one heir (instead of splitting land between all sons they only gave it to one). This resulted in the migration of the sons who had not inherited land
3. People delayed marriage more which resulted in a drop in birth rates