Question

Base your answer to the following question on the 19th century song lyrics below and on your knowledge of social studies.

... What has poor ireland done, mother, — what has poor ireland done,
that the world looks on, and sees us starve, perishing one by one?
do the men of england care not, mother, — the great men and the high, —
for the suffering sons of erin's isle, whether they live or die?
. . .
- a.m edmond,
"give me three grains of corn, mother"

Which event is most closely associated with the conditions described in these lyrics?
a) irish independence from great britain
b) mass migration of irish people to north america
c) irish neutrality during world war ii
d) an increase in ireland's population

Answer 1

The conditions described in the 19th-century song are most closely associated with the mass migration of Irish people to North America due to the Irish Famine of the 1840s, which was caused by a blight on potato crops and exacerbated by inadequate British government response. The correct answer is option b.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lyrics from the 19th-century song "Give Me Three Grains of Corn, Mother" by A.M. Edmond reflect on the desperate conditions during the Irish Famine of the 1840s. The song questions the lack of concern from the English for the suffering of Irish people during this time. The event most closely associated with the conditions described in the lyrics is (b) mass migration of Irish people to North America. The Great Famine led to over a million deaths and a similar number emigrated to escape starvation, significantly impacting the Irish population.

The Famine was caused by a blight that affected the potato crop, which was a staple food for the majority of the Irish population. The British government's ineffective aid and prejudice against the predominantly Catholic Irish worsened the situation, with profound social and political consequences including mass migration, which in turn contributed to the formation of tight Irish communities in the United States and elsewhere, where they often faced discrimination and were forced into menial jobs. The effects of the famine, including a substantial decrease in the population, continued to affect Ireland for generations.