par Verschueren, Nicolas
Référence Revue Belge d'histoire contemporaine, 39, 3-4, page (329-367)
Publication Publié, 2009
Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : In the first half of the nineteenth century, bread was the main connection between bakers, local authorities and the people of Brussels. From the time of the French Revolution to 1855, the maximum price of bread - known as "la taxe du pain" - was an essential tool to preserve social order. This price control was introduced to keep the bakers' cartel from setting artificial prices. However, the maximum price of bread lost all credibility following the food crises of 1847 and 1854, and because of technical innovations in the bakery and milling trades. "La taxe du pain" was considered the main social policy instrument of the Brussels authorities and its withdrawal was hotly debated by supporters and opponents of the free market. The supporters refused to use the balance of supply and demand as a criterion for bread and flour.