Why Was There A Food Shortage During The French Revolution?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A severe winter in 1788 resulted

in famine and widespread starvation

in the countryside. Rising prices in Paris brought bread riots. By 1789 France was broke. The nobility refused to pay more taxes, and the peasants simply couldn’t.

What caused a massive food shortage in France in the late 1700 1800’s?

What caused a massive food shortage in France in the late 1700 1800’s?

Drought, flooding rainfalls or severe frosts could wipe out an entire harvest in a major crop-growing region

, driving up the demand for crops from other regions. France’s food supplies were affected by poor harvests in 1769, 1770, 1775 and 1776.

What did poor people eat during the French Revolution?

The bulk of a peasant’s diet came from the consumption of

bread

, with an adult male eating as much as two or three pounds in a day. Breads might contain oats, rye or other grains. However, the bread French peasants ate was not the fluffy but crusty white baguette we associate with France today.

What were the causes of the poverty in France during the French Revolution?

The economic condition of France became poor

due to the foreign wars of Louis XIV, the seven years War of Louis XV and other expensive wars

. During the reign period of Louis XVI, the royal treasury became empty as extravagant expenses of his queen Marie Antoinette. To get rid of this condition.

Why were people poor during the French Revolution?

Before the revolution began, Louis XVI left the throne of France bankrupt. This caused the monarchy to

charge the civilians in the country heavy taxes which they could not afford to pay

. These taxes helped fund the cost of war. People who were left with barely enough money to live on were called peasants.

What were the 5 causes of the French Revolution?

  • #1 Social Inequality in France due to the Estates System.
  • #2 Tax Burden on the Third Estate.
  • #3 The Rise of the Bourgeoisie.
  • #4 Ideas put forward by Enlightenment philosophers.
  • #5 Financial Crisis caused due to Costly Wars.
  • #6 Drastic Weather and Poor Harvests in the preceding years.

What caused the food shortage in France?

Throughout the 18th century, France faced a mounting economic crisis. A

rapidly growing population

had outpaced the food supply. A severe winter in 1788 resulted in famine and widespread starvation in the countryside. Rising prices in Paris brought bread riots.

What did rich people eat in the French Revolution?

By 1793, affluent Parisians were eating dinner around three or four o’clock. It included

soup, lamb or cold beef, beet salad

, fish (such as sole or skate), turnips, potatoes, and, on occasion, a ham omelet. Dessert included fruit (such as apples or pears) or cherries in brandy, cheese, and jam.

What were 3 causes of the French Revolution?

Although scholarly debate continues about the exact causes of the Revolution, the following reasons are commonly adduced: (1) the bourgeoisie resented its exclusion from political power and positions of honour; (2) the peasants were acutely aware of their situation and were less and less willing to support the …

Who won the French Revolution?

A result of the French Revolution was the end of the French monarchy. The revolution began with a meeting of the Estates General in Versailles, and ended when

Napoleon Bonaparte

took power in November 1799. Before 1789, France was ruled by the nobles and the Catholic Church.

What was the most significant cause of the French Revolution?


Economic problems

were the most significant factor since they demonstrated the failure of the monarchy to reform its flawed ancien regime, and created tension in French society.

What were the social and political causes of French Revolution?

[1] The French revolution occurred for various reasons, including poor economic policies, poor leadership, an exploitative political- and social structures. The political causes of the French revolution included the

autocratic monarchy, bankruptcy and extravagant spending of royals

.

What were the economic factors that led to the French Revolution?


Taxes were high and so were prices, but the wages were low

. Unable to provide for their families the lower classes of France were also in an economical crisis, which was one of the things that drove them to revolt. Another major cause to the French Revolution was Politics.

Why were the peasants unhappy during the French Revolution?

Historians have noted that by 1789 peasant farmers and the working class of France were spending upwards of 90% of their daily income on just bread. In general, all of these burdens led to the peasants of France

feeling anger and resentment towards the monarchy of Louis XVI and his inability to solve the food crisis

.

What are the main causes of Revolution?

In this article, I take a synthetic approach and hypothesize that the three most important factors that explain the onset of social revolution are

economic development, regime type, and state ineffectiveness

. I also discuss the importance of domestic and external factors that trigger social revolutions.

How was growth of middle class responsible for the French Revolution?

Peasants, bourgeoisie and other commoners were included in the third estate.

When Louis XVI took the charge he increased the taxes and in which people from the third estate were liable to pay these taxes

. They took action against the increasing taxes and took control.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.