Events that preceded the peasant uprising in 1775

In 1770 there was a major crop failure, which caused the price of grain and other foodstuffs to rise enormously in March of the following year. A measure of rye began to be sold for 6 zlotys. Joseph II, the son and co-ruler of Maria Theresa, believed that the greed of merchants and their desire for excessive profit was to blame for the high prices. Thus, on the advice of his court chamber, he established a tax for all types of grain, namely 5 zlotys per measure of wheat...