What is ‘Subsistence Crisis’? Explain any three factors responsible for the same.
Answers
Answer:
The term subsistence crisis means an extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are endangered. In other words, it means that such a situation has come where people found it difficult even to survive. Three factors responsible for the Subsistence crisis in France were as follows:
• Increase in Population – The population of France increased from about 23 million to 28 million which led to the sudden increase in the demand of the food grains.
• High Prices- As the demand for the food grains increased which didn’t meet with the production of grains, the prices of the bread increased.
• Low wages- The owners fixed very low wages of the labourers who worked in the workshops. This widened the gap between the rich and the poor.
All these factors worsened when the country witnessed drought and hail which led to the decrease in the harvest. Subsistence crisis frequently occurred in France.