What did Oliver Cromwell have to do with the potato famine?

Answer 1

Oliver Cromwell did not directly cause the Irish Potato Famine, which occurred from 1845 to 1852, well after his death in 1658. However, his military campaigns in Ireland during the 17th century led to significant land confiscations and population displacement, laying a foundation for future socio-economic struggles. The policies and attitudes established during Cromwell's rule contributed to the longstanding tensions between England and Ireland, which exacerbated the suffering during the famine. Thus, while Cromwell's actions were not the cause of the famine, they influenced the historical context in which it occurred.