When Bread Changed History The French Revolution

When Bread Changed History: The French Revolution Bread, the Christian Bible tells us, is the staff of life. In The Hunger Games, Peeta is beaten for throwing burnt loaves of bread to Katniss and her starving family. Miguel de Cervantes in Don Quixote gave an emotional comparison, saying â€Å"All sorrows are less with bread†. For most people, a trip to France is incomplete without several stops to a bakery for a warm crunchy baguette or a buttery croissant. When the French are standing in a long line to buy their days’ worth of bread, they are not just buying bread, but a piece of history as well. Bread was consumed by everyone in 18th century France. From King Louis XVI - who reigned France during this time, the clergy - religious leaders, the nobility- privileged class, the bourgeoisie- the upper middle class, and the peasants- the poorest and least powerful. However, it was different for the peasants. They made up over 85% of the population in France, but they struggled the most. Peasants stood in long lines to buy pieces of bread that were worth more than half of their wages. Bread wasn’t just the â€Å"staff of life† for most peasants in the pre-industrial era; it was life itself. In the 18th century, peasants revolted against the government because there weren’t enough grains, and its prices were too high. Bread, or the lack of, was a political, societal, and economic cause that led to the French Revolution in 1789. To start off, the control on bread was a politicalShow MoreRelatedThe French Revolution And The Revolution Of The Bastille1221 Words   |  5 Pageswould shake a nation. This event further altered the country of France’s history and drastically changed its future. This event was known as the Storming of the Bastille, the first violent instance to instigate the French Revolution and the formation of a rebel alliance to overthrow French monarchy. However the motives of the renegades is far and wide. The question must be asked; What were the major reasons for the French Revolution? Many elements of France’s infrastructure were created to suppress theRead MoreThe French Revolution And The American Revolution1408 Words   |  6 Pages The French Revolution Salahaldin Bileh History 101 Professor Manley October 7, 2015 Throughout history, there have been many Revolutions. The French Revolution was a revolution that changed France history completely. The French Revolution did not only changed history, but changed France’s historical monarchy government to a more republic government. The poor French citizens got the courage to start a revolution from the American Revolution. The French Revolution started at 1789Read MoreWhat Caused The French Revolution?917 Words   |  4 PagesWhat caused the French Revolution? Many things contributed to it evolving. But only three were the most important. 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The French population went through economic chaos, a dictatorship, and a civil war as well as other dramatic changes. During these years, the French decided to speak up for themselves and they became enemies of the French revolution. Internal enemies included the King, Louis XVI, Monarchists and Royalists and the Churches that were run by refractory priests. External threats were caused by aristocrats who had fled the Revolution; more specificallyRead MoreFrom 1789 to 1799, Who Posed the More Dangerous Threats to the French Revolution: Its External Enemies or Its Internal Enemies?880 Words   |  4 Pagesof modern European History: the French Revolution. The French population went through economic chaos, a dictatorship, and a civil war as well as other dramatic changes. During these years, the French decided to speak up for themselves and they became enemies of the French revolution. Internal enemies included the King, Louis XVI, Monarchists and Royalists and the Churches that were run by refractory priests. External threats were caused by aristocrats who had fled the Revolution; more specificallyRead MoreHow Bread Has Improved With New Technology1549 Words   |  7 Pages Matthew Henry once said, â€Å"Here is bread, which strengthens man s heart, and therefore is called the staff of Life.† Bread in many perspectives is the staff of life; it has come a long way with each step evolving into something new; evolving into over two hundred types of bread that are sold worldwide. Bread, born from the minds of humans, to turn a grain into flour, unite it with liquids and toast them over hot stones, is revolutionary. Bread has evolved into impacting our culture, religion, andRead MoreFrench Revolution: the Solution to Class Inequality1141 Words   |  5 Pages The French Revolution was one of the most important events that occurred in the history of France. The revolution crumpled the Old Regime and completely transformed the social and political system of France. The people of France sought to establish a more egalitarian society through their newly created Republic. When Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Baron de Montesquieu introduced individual liberty, natural rights and equality the ideas of revolution emergedRead MoreThe French And American Revolutions Essay1369 Words   |  6 Pagesregarding the causes and circumstances between the French and American Revolutions existed due to the people and ideas of the day, but ultimately, they were motivated by different concerns. Americans wanted to be a sovereign nation and the French nationals were revolting against years of oppression and social inequity between the classes. The main causes of the French and American Revolutions will now be listed respectively: FRENCH REVOLUTION: 1. Financial/Economical In the 1700’s, France was