What does subsistence crisis mean? What led to subsistence crisis in France?
The subsistence crisis occurred frequently during the ‘Old Regime’. Subsistence crisis refers to a situation where it is difficult for a common citizen to survive as his/her basic sources of livelihood have been endangered. The demand for food grains skyrocketed to 28 million from 23 million. The production of food grains was not able to meet the required demand. The staple diet of masses, bread, the price rose rapidly. Laborers were employed as workers with fixed wages. The wages were not sufficient for sustenance. The gap between rich and poor was alarmingly high. When the climate worsened, cultivation also suffered.
