Social Discontents 1787-89

Question 1

What were the two main social discontents?

Answer 1

1. Bad harvests

2. Unemployment

Question 2

Why did bad harvests create social discontent?

Answer 2

Rising food and bread prices meant that people could not afford to feed themselves, creating anger and looting of suspected hoarders’ houses
The average worker was spending 88% of his wage on bread

Question 3

How much did production and employment in the textile industry fall by in 1789 and why?

Answer 3

50%

Due to the Eden Treaty of 1786 which allowed the import of British goods at a reduced rate of import duties