Question

State the factors that led to Agricultural Revolution in England.

Answer 1

Factors that led to the Agricultural Revolution in England can be surmised as follows:

1. Expansion for wool production:
   1. When the price of wool went up in the world market in the sixteenth century, rich farmers wanted to expand wool production to earn profits.
   2. To improve the sheep breeds and good feed for them required large areas and ‘commons’ were the best areas for this purpose.
   3. This was called the enclosure movement.

2. The Enclosure movement gradually started spreading through the countryside and the landscape of England was changed forever. The British Parliament passed around 4000 Acts legalising these enclosures.

3. Population factor: the population of England increased multiple folds from the mid-eighteenth century to 1900 only. This meant an increased demand for foodgrains to feed the population.

4. Industrialisation and urbanisation:
   1. Britain at this time was industrialising. More and more people began to live and work in urban areas.
   2. As the urban population grew, the market for foodgrains expanded, and when demand increased rapidly, foodgrain prices rose.

5. French Revolution: As an effect of French revolution England witnessed disruption in trade and import of foodgrains from Europe.
6. During the Napoleonic Wars, prices of foodgrains were high and farmers expanded production vigorously.
7. Machinery: Coming up of new thrashing machines revolutionised the mechanism of Agricultural Revolution.