Another issue is the theory of body politic and how this affected the system of social hierarchy. Cultural and social differences also led to food prejudices with the idea of “luxury” and “base” foods and beverages based on class. We will examine the broad shifts in the diet of Europeans particularly their love affair with bread since the invention of the plough and variations according to the etiquettes of consumption. The invention of the plough was regarded as the most significant breakthrough in the development of agricultural practices in early modern European history and improved life expectancy and infant survival and is singlehandedly responsible for the tremendous population growth. This rising population brought problems as well as opportunities however the demand for food increased leading to a sharp rise in food prices especially the price of grain which increased between four and sevenfold across Europe during the period from 1450 to 1620.
During the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries Europe had been gripped by significant episodes of famine and hunger. As such many of European countries were in the midst of nutritional disasters with the inability to produce enough food to sustain their populations. Recounts of that famine period in localized towns
What were the main effects of the 14th Century plagues on the European economy The 14th Century was a time of pain, suffering and turmoil. Beset by plagues, famines and wars, the age of the 14th Century was that of a tragedy. Fears of the world ending were building up again and anyone looking at the facts of the era may not be surprised as to why. Of all the greatest horrors that affected this era however, the plagues were perhaps the worst and most devastating of all. As the Black Death ravaged across medieval Europe, the effects on the land and the economy were devastating.
In a general perspective, yes; the war had definitely hurt the economy, obviously. But, some tidbits of it maybe had sparked some burgeon. The north, in my point of view, definitely had the better economical structure of the two. The south, on the flip side, was very agricultural. They produced many food products and materials.
The Russo-Japanese was an important factor which lead up to the outbreak of the 1905 revolution as it was a catalyst which highlighted the fundamental weaknesses in the leadership of the Tsar. Though it was an was important factor, ultimately the outbreak of the 1905 revolution was due to a number of factors such as the long term issues such as the lack of modernisation; socially, economically and politically. The most significant cause of the 1905 revolution was the lack of modernisation. Due to the failure of modernisation in the countryside led to increase in social tension. Agriculture in Russia was far behind other great powers and peasants were suffering greatly through the repeated famines in 1902 and 1905.
For a long time, Russia had been considered backward, both in its political methods and its ways of life. 80% of the population were peasants and Russia itself was a very large country to govern. Modernisation was a way for the country to keep up with its European neighbours. There were two key areas that Sergei Witte, Finance Minister for Russia, was focused upon: Industry and Transport. He felt these areas would help to solve Russia's three biggest problems; Communication, Size and Social Divide.
Food shortages were spreading throughout and people were easily getting susceptible to sickness and disease. Also harsh winters, long periods of rainfall and wet seasons deceased the production of food. It was a chain reaction of unfortunate events. There was no food, people were not eating, they were getting sick and dying at a rapid pace and very soon a plague would eventually kill more. This was a tough time
This caused the people to flock to America and seek new job opportunities. Another reason was over-population in the cities. The overcrowding of tens and thousands of people in one town in filthy conditions caused a book of problems. The bubonic plague was one, which brought one example of many economic declines, in the production of food and imports and widespread of malnutrition. Other problems included higher prices, lower purchasing power, and years of poor harvest.
Between the years of 1906-1914 many Liberal Social reforms were introduced to try and improve the lives of the poor. In the late 19th century and early 20th century there were high levels of poverty due to malnutrition and disease. Previous to the reforms the Government had taken a ‘laissez faire’ approach in the running of the country. There are many factors to be examined when trying to understand why there was sudden change of view from the government on the poor of society and why these Liberal Social Reforms were introduced. One of the possible factors was the genuine concern that they felt towards the poor.
First, farmers claimed that farm prices were falling and, as a consequence, so were their incomes. They generally blamed low prices on over- production. Second, farmers alleged that monopolistic railroads and grain elevators charged unfair prices for their services. Government regulation was the farmers’ solution to the problem of monopoly. Third, there was a perceived shortage of credit and money.