Why was the government's decision to raise bread prices such a crucial cause of the French Revolution?

A. Bread symbolized the French peasents' hard labor, and raising its prices symbolized the government's disrespect.
B. Bread was associated with French pride and honor, and people felt the king was insulting them by increasing its prices.
C. Bread was a staple food item in French households, and the lack of it probably pushed the already starving citizens over the edge.
D. Bread was a rare commodity in France, and higher prices made it even harder to obtain.

I believe the correct answer is C. Bread was a staple food item in French households, and the lack of it probably pushed the already starving citizens over the edge.

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barbaralazarotto barbaralazarotto · Answer 2 · 2019-03-19T14:00:58+01:00

The correct answer is C. Bread was a staple food item in French households, and the lack of it probably pushed the already starving citizens over the edge.

Bread was a common food in French households, but in 1780s bad weather in France caused the lack of grain. This pushed the prices of bread by 200% in 1789. Common people were already being taxed heavily by the state and they could not afford to lose more money buying overpriced bread.

Many people died from starvation because their diets consisted mostly of bread.

Bakers were obliged to raise prices because they had regulated amounts of grain and flour. This caused people to believe that the government rose the prices of bread due to new taxes. The tension was created which led to the Peasen Women Revolt and later to the break of the French Revolution.