Agricultural Revolution

Definition

The Agricultural Revolution refers to a period of major technological and social change in agriculture that occurred in Europe between the 16th and 19th centuries. It marked a shift from traditional subsistence farming to more efficient and productive agricultural practices, leading to significant increases in food production and population growth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Agricultural Revolution led to a significant increase in food production, which helped support the growing population and the transition to industrialization during the Industrial Revolution.
2. The Enclosure Movement, which involved the privatization of common land, allowed for the adoption of new farming techniques and technologies, such as crop rotation and selective breeding.
3. Improvements in crop yields and livestock productivity, driven by innovations like crop rotation and selective breeding, reduced the need for agricultural labor and contributed to the growth of urban centers.
4. The Agricultural Revolution paved the way for the Industrial Revolution by freeing up a significant portion of the population to work in non-agricultural sectors, such as manufacturing and commerce.
5. The increased food production and population growth during the Agricultural Revolution also led to changes in social and economic structures, as the traditional feudal system gave way to a more market-oriented economy.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Agricultural Revolution contributed to the growth of urban centers and the transition to industrialization during the Industrial Revolution.
  • The Agricultural Revolution led to significant increases in food production, which reduced the need for agricultural labor. This freed up a large portion of the population to migrate to urban centers and work in non-agricultural sectors, such as manufacturing and commerce. The increased food supply also supported the growing urban population, providing the necessary resources for the transition to industrialization. The innovations in farming techniques and technologies, such as crop rotation and selective breeding, improved productivity and efficiency, further contributing to the surplus of agricultural labor that could be absorbed by the emerging industrial sector.
• Describe the role of the Enclosure Movement in facilitating the adoption of new farming techniques and technologies during the Agricultural Revolution.
  • The Enclosure Movement, which involved the privatization of common land, was a key driver of the Agricultural Revolution. By enclosing open fields and common land into privately owned plots, the Enclosure Movement allowed landowners to experiment with and implement new farming techniques and technologies, such as crop rotation and selective breeding. This transition from traditional subsistence farming to more efficient and productive agricultural practices was crucial for increasing food production and supporting the growing population during the Industrial Revolution.
• Analyze how the changes in social and economic structures during the Agricultural Revolution paved the way for the Industrial Revolution.
  • The Agricultural Revolution led to significant changes in social and economic structures, as the traditional feudal system gave way to a more market-oriented economy. The increased food production and population growth, driven by innovations in farming techniques and technologies, reduced the need for agricultural labor and contributed to the growth of urban centers. This shift in the labor force, from agriculture to manufacturing and commerce, was a key factor in the transition to industrialization during the Industrial Revolution. Additionally, the surplus of agricultural products and the accumulation of wealth among landowners provided the necessary capital and resources to invest in the development of industrial infrastructure and technologies, further facilitating the Industrial Revolution.

Related terms

Enclosure Movement: The process of enclosing open fields and common land into privately owned plots, which helped facilitate the adoption of new farming techniques and technologies during the Agricultural Revolution.

Crop Rotation: The practice of growing different crops in succession on the same land, which helped maintain soil fertility and improve yields during the Agricultural Revolution.

Selective Breeding: The process of breeding animals and plants with desirable traits to improve productivity and yield, which was a key innovation of the Agricultural Revolution.