Nelson .:. Bitter Bread

Nelson, Maria C.,
Bitter Bread. The Famine in Norrbotten 1867 - 1868. Uppsala:, 1988. 192 Seiten mit Abbildungen und Literaturverzeichnis. Broschiert. 317 g

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* Studia Historia Upsaliensia, vol. 153. - Rücken oben bestossen.
Bestell-Nr.159940 | ISBN: 91-554-2264-0

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Nelson | Schweden | Hungersnot | XIX Jahrhundert | Famine

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Doctoral dissertation at Uppsala University 1988.

Abstract
Nelson, Marie C. , 1988: Bitter Bread: The Famine in Norrbotten 1867—1868. Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis. Studia Historica Upsaliensia 153. 192 pp. English. ISBN 91-554-2264-0.

In this analysis of the 1867—1868 famine in Norrbotten, Sweden's northernmost province, a four-level model was applied: A) factors affecting total food available; B) food available; C) determinants of whether food reaches individuals; and D) voluntary and involuntary indicators of famine, e.g., death. The 1867 crop failure was the culmination of a series of poor harvests. Prices for grain rose as wages decreased and debts from earlier loans were due. On the whole, mortality did not increase significantly, although there were marked declines in nuptiality and fertility. Distinct demographic patterns emerged which might, in part, be attributed to the different cultural divisions (Swedish, Finnish, Lapp) and local economies. Both public and private aid was sent to Norrbotten, often via Stockholm's Relief Committee and was channelled to the local councils (kommunalståmmor) and the local branches of the Emergency Relief Committees, which, within certain guidelines, were empowered to make their own stipulations for help. These rules varied in form and fairness. Little help was given without work in return, and much took the form of loans.
Attempts were made to provide more food in both the short and long run by encouraging the use of surrogate foods and a shift from grain production. Other changes in individual behavior were also recommended. The peasantry often found the terms for help both unrealistic and harsh. Underlying the famine regulations was the concept of individual self-reliance.

Key words: emergency foods, famine analysis, famine causes, famine relief, harvest failure, individualism, malnutrition, mortality, northern Sweden, relief regulations, starvation.

Marie C. Nelson, Department of History, Uppsala University, S:t Larsgatan 2, S-752 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
0 Marie C. Nelson 1988
ISBN 91-554-2264-0
ISSN 0081-6531
Printed in Sweden by Textgruppen AB, Uppsala 1988

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