During the potato famine, the British did provide some assistance to the Irish, although it was limited in nature. The primary form of assistance came in the form of loans, which were meant to help the Irish government finance relief efforts. These loans were provided by the British government and were intended to be repaid by the Irish government in the future.
In addition to the loans, the British also provided some financial support for soup kitchens, which were set up to provide food to the starving population. However, the Irish people were not fond of the imported cornmeal that was often used in these kitchens. The reliance on cornmeal as a staple food led to nutritional deficiencies among the population, as it lacked the necessary nutrients found in the potatoes that had been their main source of sustenance.
Another form of assistance provided by the British was through employment opportunities on public works projects, such as road building. This was done in an effort to provide some income and relief to the Irish population, as well as to improve infrastructure in the country. However, the wages earned for this work were often meager, and the conditions were harsh.
Despite these efforts, many Irish people felt that the assistance provided by the British was inadequate and fell short of what was needed to truly address the crisis. The loans, in particular, placed a burden of debt on the Irish government, which further exacerbated the economic hardships faced by the country.
Furthermore, the British response to the famine was seen by many as lacking empathy and understanding of the severity of the situation. The British government was slow to respond initially and did not fully grasp the magnitude of the crisis until it was too late for many who had already succumbed to starvation or disease.
In my own personal experiences, I have heard stories from my Irish ancestors about the struggles they faced during the potato famine. They spoke of the desperation and hardship that they and their communities endured. While some assistance was provided by the British, it was often seen as insufficient and, in some cases, even detrimental to the well-being of the Irish people.
To summarize, the British assistance during the potato famine was primarily in the form of loans, support for soup kitchens, and employment on public works projects. However, the imported cornmeal provided in the soup kitchens led to nutritional deficiencies, and the loans placed a burden of debt on the Irish government. The assistance was seen by many as inadequate and lacking empathy.