I think even IF the potato famine did not occur, there would have been a huge exodus of people from Ireland anyway because the British rule made it nearly impossible for the Irish to economically advance. They probably would have left about the same time many Eastern European Jews left for the USA. Indeed, economic opportunity and the effect of several major wars in Europe between 1600 and 1900 drive a huge number Europeans to what was first the American colonies, then the USA.
RayChuang88 ~:” I think even IF the potato famine did not occur, there would have been a huge exodus of people from Ireland anyway because the British rule made it nearly impossible for the Irish to economically advance.”
British rule was ( and is ) resented by most Irish descendants , even to this day.
This also is why the IRA (Irish Republican Army) recieved so much support in the homeland as well as in the USA.
In many an Irish household , the vernacular term which referred to English control as the “ Bloodey Brits “.
Even the Nazis tried to appeal to Irish independance and ancient resentments by providing money and arms to the IRA,
in an attempt to force the British fighting on the War Front, as well as guerilla warfare (IRA) at home .
Even “An Gorta Mor” (The Irish Great Famine) was blamed on the Brits , since the English preferrred one certain variety of potato
and the Irish planted this one variety when it was struck by the potato blight (think agriculture mono-culture).
Millions died , went into the ‘poor house’, and became destitute. Most died of starvation, or diseases caused by stravation.