Gin Craze

The gin - crisis refers to a time in the first half of the 18th century, when the consumption of gin in the UK, especially in London, rapidly increased. Many residents drank large quantities of gin to extreme drunkenness. This behavior and the health consequences such as high mortality due to alcohol consumption caused a public moral outrage and legislative procedures to mitigate Ginkonsums. The Gin crisis ended around 1757 due to rising grain prices, falling wages and corresponding framework legislation.

Background

In the 18th century began a period of agricultural progress, which led to an overproduction of wheat. England was at this time the wheat exporter. However, the over-production also led to price erosion. The wheat producers supported then the production of gin from wheat to stop the price decline.

Between 1689 and 1697 the government restricted the import of Brandy and opened up the market for the Gindestillation by restricting the monopoly for the London Gindestillerien. The production and consumption of English gin were promoted. In some London boroughs every seventh house had a gin - serving. The death rate due to alcohol consumption exceeded in London from time to time the birth rate.

The Parliament adopted the 1729-1751 five laws to restrict the consumption of gin. The Gin crisis leveled off after the Gin Act of 1751st