The Great Irish Famine, occurring from 1845 to 1852, was primarily caused by a potato blight known as Phytophthora infestans, which devastated the crop crucial to the Irish diet. However, the famine's impact was exacerbated by socio-political factors, such as British colonial policies that favored exportation over local sustenance. Many Irish people, heavily reliant on potatoes for nutrition, faced starvation as the crop failed repeatedly. The British government's inadequate response, including continued export of food from Ireland, contributed to the widespread suffering and emigration during this period. The famine led to significant demographic changes and fostered resentment towards British rule.