A subsistence crisis affects individuals or communities unable to obtain basic necessities due to either man-made or natural factors such as inflation, drought or war."The European subsistence crisis of 1845–1850: a comparative perspective", http://www.helsinki.fi/iehc2006/papers3/Vanhaute.pdf, 20 June 2012 Severe subsistence crises are considered famines. While Jean Meuvret coined the term in France in 1946, economic historian Pierre Goubert popularized the concept during the 1960s with his study of economic inequality and mortality in Beauvais 1709–10. A Subsistence crisis is an extreme situation where basic needs of livelihood are endangered. Subsistence crises affect individuals or communities unable to obtain basic necessities due to either man-made or natural factors such as inflation, drought or war.
Historical Subsistence Crises DateNameLocationCauses1709–10France1788–89France• Crop failure • Grain shortage1921–23Hyperinflation in the Weimar RepublicGermany• Post-war debt • Creation of money to offset debt • Rapid inflation1816The Year Without a SummerNorthern Hemisphere• Decreased global temperatures from severe climate abnormalities brought on by volcanic eruptions.1845–49The Great Irish Potato FamineIreland• Over-reliance of the Irish population on the potato crop. • A disease called blight being accidentally transported on ships from America2016–presentHyperinflation in VenezuelaVenezuela• Oil-based, non-diversified economy • Sudden drop in price of oil in 2016 • Continued ame spending practices as before decrease in oil prices • Creation of money to offset debt • Hyperinflation
See also Famine Hail Drought
References