... did not increase. In fact over the years, it deteriorated. This was due to both, the lack of reform, and bad timing. The poor harvests, which occurred after 1770, were not the fault of the monarchy. However, the fragmentation of peasant's holdings, and their decrease in size, which lead to poor productivity was due to lack of reform. In the mid and late 18th Century the peasants owned around a quarter to a third off all the land in France2. However, population wise they made up more of the population than the rich. The absolutist monarchy could have given the third estate (this consisting of everyone except the monarchy, nobles, and the clergy) an increase in land and introduced reforms to somehow preserve the peasant's land rather than fragmenting it. The agricultural problem in France caused discontentment among many French people, this was blamed on the monarchy. France was agriculturally backwards, ...

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