Agriculture Flashcards
What was agriculture like before the Industrial Revolution?
Farming was traditional, with small farms using manual labor. Most people used the Open-Field System, where land was divided into strips for different families. Crop rotation and basic tools were common.
What caused changes in agriculture during the Industrial Revolution?
Key causes included population growth, new farming techniques, and the need to feed more people. Technological advancements like the seed drill and mechanical reaper helped boost productivity.
What were the effects of agricultural changes?
More food was produced with fewer workers, leading to urbanization as people moved to cities for industrial work. This also contributed to population growth and increased demand for factory workers.
What were the Enclosure Acts?
Between 1700-1860, these laws allowed landowners to fence off common lands. They turned public land into private property, reducing land for peasants and increasing large-scale farming.
How did the Enclosure Acts impact farming?
The Enclosure Acts allowed for more efficient farming but led to displacement of many peasants, forcing them to move to cities. It also encouraged crop rotation and the use of new farming techniques.
What key advancements improved agriculture during the Industrial Revolution?
Seed Drill (1701): Invented by Jethro Tull, it allowed for more efficient planting.
Mechanical Reaper (1831): Invented by Cyrus McCormick, it sped up the harvest of crops.
Thresher (1830s): A machine that separated grains from stalks, reducing labor.
What impact did these advancements have?
These inventions boosted food production, reduced manual labor, and supported larger-scale farms. They contributed to population growth and urban migration.
