Roads and trains were built for transport of goods. Profit is where the driver was (pun not intended). No one travelled much in the 1800's. Travel became more prevalent after WW1. WW1 was a turning point for the rights of the people. This is why we have the unknown soldier. It was an appeasement for the country's masses. As for education how did this benefit the poor. They had kids 5 yrs old working in the mines right up till 1880. Even in 1900 kids were sent to work at 12 years old. None of those went to uni. Uni was for those who could afford it.

The main reason Japan and Turkey were not pushed in the same way as Germany was Racism. The West did not care about the Chinese or what they considered Arabs. They cared about white people being murdered. Germany also had to live in that west and were very dependant on the hand outs due to the Berlin situation. It is not surprising they chose the options they did, however commendable.

To your point, do you think the average teenager in England understands how the policies of their leadership caused the Potato Famine? More importantly, do you think it’s a good thing that they should never have to learn that and recognize that England has something today because Ireland does not?

The potato famine was caused by ignorance of how what crops needed. The tragedy was the greed of the landlords who still kept food back even though the country was starving. The situation was so bad that India wanted to donate food, but the English government of the time stopped it.

The English education system is very narrow when it comes to history. Potato famine, India and the English role in the other colonies are something I found out for myself. The media had a very bias agenda against the IRA during the troubles of the 70's+. Much of which I bought as being gospel because at a young age you trust what you hear. Teenagers these days are so much more savvy than I was though. The internet is a fantastic aid.