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Sale of Indian corn
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Sale of Indian corn
The government sale of Indian corn at Cork, Ireland. Date: 1846
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Media ID 7258189
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10588051
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the government sale of Indian corn in Cork, Ireland during the Great Famine of 1846. The sale, which took place in the open market, was an attempt by the British government to provide relief to the Irish population who were suffering from widespread food shortages and starvation. The Indian corn, also known as maize, was brought in from the colonies to help alleviate the crisis. The photograph shows a large crowd of people gathered around the sale, with soldiers and officials present to maintain order. The corn is being distributed from sacks in the foreground, with some people carrying away their portions on their backs or in baskets. The atmosphere is one of desperation and urgency, with the crowd pressing forward to secure their share of the precious grain. The sale of Indian corn in Cork was a controversial measure, with some criticizing the British government for not doing enough to address the root causes of the famine, such as the reliance on a single crop (potatoes) and the failure to provide adequate relief efforts. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Great Famine and the role of colonialism in shaping food systems and responses to crises. Despite the best efforts of the British government, the Great Famine continued to ravage Ireland for several years, resulting in the deaths of an estimated one million people and the emigration of another million. The image of the government sale of Indian corn in Cork remains a powerful symbol of the desperate situation faced by the Irish people during this dark period in their history.
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