6 Questions
What was the primary outcome of the Agricultural Revolution in Britain?
A period of agricultural development and advances in farming methods.
What was the main purpose of the Enclosure Acts passed by the British Parliament?
To grant ownership of common farming land to private owners.
What was the main social consequence of the enclosures?
The forced migration of many poor people from rural to urban areas.
What was the main innovation in crop rotation introduced by Charles Townshend?
A four-field system with wheat, barley, root vegetables, and a fallow year.
What was the main environmental impact of the Agricultural Revolution?
The clearing of forests, drainage of marshes, and conversion of grazing pastures to crop growing.
What was the primary economic outcome of the Agricultural Revolution?
The creation of a new industrial working class.
Study Notes
The Agricultural Revolution
- The Agricultural Revolution was a period of agricultural development and advances in farming methods that took place in Britain from the mid-1600s to the late 1800s.
- This period paved the way for the Industrial Revolution.
Changes to the Land during the Industrial Revolution
- Forests were cleared to make way for crop growing.
- Grazing pastures were converted into crop-growing land.
- Low-lying marshes were drained to grow more crops.
Enclosures
- Enclosures refer to the act of seizing land by putting up hedges or other barriers around it.
- Over 4000 Enclosure Acts were passed by the British Parliament, granting ownership of common farming land to private owners.
- This led to the seizure of land that was previously open to everyone.
Social Unrest Caused by Enclosures
- Many poor people were forced off the land they had farmed for generations without charge.
- As a result, many people flooded into cities, becoming part of the new industrial working class, while others sought new lives abroad.
Changes in Crop Rotation
- Originally, a 3-year crop rotation system was in use, leaving a field fallow every year.
- Charles Townshend invented the four-field system in the 1700s, rotating between:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Root vegetables (e.g., turnips, carrots)
Discover the significance of the Agricultural Revolution and its impact on the Industrial Revolution. Learn about the changes in land use during this period, including deforestation and conversion of land into grazing pastures.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
