Vorarlberg in den Krisenjahren 1816 und 1817: Gründe und Auswirkungen

Abstract

Vorarlberg in the Crisis Years 1816 and 1817: Reasons and Effects

Between 1812 and 1817, the so-called "Little Ice Age" in Central Europe reached its climax. During this period, the summers were two to three degrees colder than the 20th century average. In addition to the economic depression caused by the Napoleonic Wars, the eruption of the volcano Tambora in April 1815 further exacerbated the situation. The consequences of the climatic changes affected the whole world and resulted in the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816. The effects of the climatic fluctuation also had an impact on the following year with famines and natural disasters still being a huge problem. Also in Vorarlberg, this resulted in terrible disasters: Flooding, avalanches and crop failures led to years of crisis in Vorarlberg.