in opposition of the reform rioted, and seized grain that came in on shipments. They offered what they felt was the “just price” for it. This demonstrated a way in which the people took some power back into their own hands. This practice was known as “taxation populaire”, or popular taxation. While there were documented efforts to deal with the grain shortage problems, such as increasing shipments from external sources, belief in the famine plot conspiracy remained. Conspiracy propaganda was rampant and quickly spread through the public. It eventually even reached Jacques Turgot, who came to have his own doubts about the situation. He suspected “agitation and bribery by his political rivals”. A return to order The disorder of the period proved to be so great that this economic experiment was stopped, and Turgot ended his career as the Minister of Finances in 1776. From 1775–1776 police returned to regulate the grain trade. Guilds were re-instated as well, but took a new form due to social changes taking place. France would survive these food shortages, and a new era of industrialization would eventually emerge, in the leadup and aftermath of the Revolution of 1789. Agricultural techniques would become more modernized and productivity would increase over the next century, improving the life of many in France. Notes References Andress, David. French Society in Revolution, 1789–1799. France: Manchester University Press, 1999. Kaplan, Steven. The Famine Plot Persuasion in Eighteenth-Century France. Pennsylvania: Diane Publishing Co, 1982. Price, Roger. A Concise History of France, Second Edition. Massachusetts: Cambridge University Press, 2005. External links David Andress, "French Society in Revolution, 1789–1799", 1999, Google Book Search Steven Kaplan, "The Famine Plot Persuasion in Eighteenth-Century France", 1982, Google Book Search Roger Price, "A Concise History of France, Second Edition", 2005, Google Book Search Economic history of the Ancien Régime Political history of the Ancien Régime 18th century in France Conspiracy theories in France