Hungry 40s
Definition
The "Hungry 40s" refers to a period during the 1840s when Europe experienced severe economic depression, leading to widespread hunger, poverty, and social unrest.
Analogy
Think about this like going through a really tough level in a video game where resources are scarce, enemies are everywhere, and you're just trying to survive. That's what life was like for many people during the Hungry 40s.
Related terms
Potato Famine (Great Famine): A period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland from 1845 to 1852. With severe potato blight, approximately one million people died due to famine conditions.
Revolutions of 1848 (Springtime of Peoples): A series of political upheavals throughout Europe in 1848. It remains the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history which had significant impact on political situations.
Industrialization: The process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on manufacturing goods. Individual manual labor is often replaced by mechanized mass production. This transition played a role in economic conditions leading up to 'Hungry 40s'.
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