Food is arguably mankind's best friend, but also its worst enemy. How could something as insignificant as a potato divide the different social classes in France? In Tom Standage’s An Edible History of Humanity, he describes in great detail the role potatoes played in French social life. Food has played an important role in social statuses throughout history, but also a big political influence, and the deciding factor in many wars. There are many similarities between the impact of food socially and politically, but also many differences.
Ever since its existence, food has been a great indicator of social status and a person’s prominence in society. Food was seen as one of the first forms of currency, and the more food you had, the greater …show more content…
An army is unable to proceed if they do not receive the proper nutrition, and often are forced to surrender. A great example of this is our Revolutionary War. The British were the strongest military in the world, but they couldn’t manage to quell an uprising of their colonies. This is because the troops had been expecting the loyalists in the colonies to provide them with food as they passed through. When this did not happen, the loyalists were left shocked and without much time to wait for new shipments, or to regroup. This gave the American troops a huge advantage as they were able to cut the British off at sea and force them inland, which ultimately led to their surrender. The American Civil War was also decided by food shortages within the Confederacy. The Union had strategized to “blockade the breakaway southern states of the Confederacy in an effort to cause food shortages and economic collapse” (164). This strategy proved to be effective as the Union caused severe food shortages, weakening Robert E. Lee’s troops. Ulysses S. Grant devised a “two-pronged plan to end the war”. As he and the majority of the Union engaged Lee, the rest of the troops would split up, destroying farms and railroads, further lowering southern morale and worsening the food shortages. After realizing that he was trapped without food or manpower to win, Robert E. Lee and the Confederates surrendered, ending the
Ever since its existence, food has been a great indicator of social status and a person’s prominence in society. Food was seen as one of the first forms of currency, and the more food you had, the greater …show more content…
An army is unable to proceed if they do not receive the proper nutrition, and often are forced to surrender. A great example of this is our Revolutionary War. The British were the strongest military in the world, but they couldn’t manage to quell an uprising of their colonies. This is because the troops had been expecting the loyalists in the colonies to provide them with food as they passed through. When this did not happen, the loyalists were left shocked and without much time to wait for new shipments, or to regroup. This gave the American troops a huge advantage as they were able to cut the British off at sea and force them inland, which ultimately led to their surrender. The American Civil War was also decided by food shortages within the Confederacy. The Union had strategized to “blockade the breakaway southern states of the Confederacy in an effort to cause food shortages and economic collapse” (164). This strategy proved to be effective as the Union caused severe food shortages, weakening Robert E. Lee’s troops. Ulysses S. Grant devised a “two-pronged plan to end the war”. As he and the majority of the Union engaged Lee, the rest of the troops would split up, destroying farms and railroads, further lowering southern morale and worsening the food shortages. After realizing that he was trapped without food or manpower to win, Robert E. Lee and the Confederates surrendered, ending the