Question

activity 6 - additional resource: primary source analysis
directions: analyze the document below and complete the questions that follow.
“the nearer july 14th came, the greater became the shortage of food. the crowd, besieging every baker’s shop, received a parsimonious (cheap) distribution of bread, always with warnings about possible shortages next day. fears were redoubled by the complaints of people who had spent the whole day waiting at the baker’s door without receiving anything.
there was frequent bloodshed; food was snatched from the hand as people walked down the street...
i was forced at the height of the shortage to go to versailles for a short visit, i was curious to see what sort of bread was being eaten at court, or served at the ministers’ and deputies’ tables. nowhere could i find even rye bread. everywhere i saw only beautiful bread, of the finest and most delicate quality. it was served in great abundance and delivered by the bakers themselves.”
source: in late july 1789 the conservative newspaper l’ami du roi (friend of the king) reported on how bread shortages precipitated the unrest of july 14th.

1. how are people behaving in paris in july 1789? how do you think they feel about the king? why?
2. compare and contrast the food being eaten by the peasants in the third estate to the food being eaten by the nobility in the second estate.
3. could the french government have avoided revolution and the removal of the monarchy? explain.

Explanation:

1. In July 1789 in Paris, people were besieging baker - shops due to food shortage, showing desperation. They likely felt angry and betrayed by the King as he failed to ensure food supply. Shortages and empty - handed waits increased fears and discontent.
2. Peasants in the Third Estate were suffering from food shortages, getting parsimonious bread distributions or nothing. Nobility in the Second Estate were eating fine and abundant bread, highlighting a vast disparity in living standards and food access.
3. The French government could have potentially avoided revolution and monarchy removal. Reforms like fairer tax systems, better food - distribution mechanisms, and political representation for the Third Estate could have alleviated grievances. However, the government's inaction and resistance to change led to the revolution.

Answer:

1. People were besieging baker - shops out of desperation for food. They likely felt angry and betrayed by the King because of the food shortage he failed to address.
2. Peasants in the Third Estate faced food shortages and meager bread distributions, while the nobility in the Second Estate ate fine and abundant bread, showing a large gap in food access.
3. The French government could have avoided revolution and monarchy removal through reforms such as fairer taxes, better food - distribution, and political representation for the Third Estate, but inaction led to the revolution.