Discuss the factors that led to the urban and rural revolts in the fourteenth century. Was desperate poverty a chief cause? Why or why not?

Desperate poverty was not the main cause, but it was one of the most important, since it was a direct result of the factors that triggered the revolts.

Explanation:

The main cause of urban and rural uprisings in the 14th century was the immense inequality between rich and poor in the country. These inequalities meant that the poor were exploited by the government and did not have the basic elements to have a pleasant life, while the rich enjoyed numerous privileges within society.

The poor, despite being economically fragile, were most affected by rising inflation and taxes, which reduced their incomes and subjected them to crises of extreme poverty, resulting in hunger and despair among them.

Other causes for these revolts were wars, pests and religious crises.

by 1890, the united states had by far the world's most productive economy. american industry produced twice as much as its closest competitor--britain. but the united states was not a great military or diplomatic power. its army numbered less than 30,000 troops, and its navy had only about 10,000 seamen. britain's army was five times the size of its american counterpart, and its navy was ten times bigger. the united states' military was small because the country was situated between two large oceans and was surrounded by weak or friendly nations. it faced no serious military threats and had little interest in asserting military power overseas.