Question

Write a note to explain the effect of the following: The British government’s decision to abolish the corn laws

Answer 1

The British government’s decision to abolish the corn laws

• In Britain, in the late 18th century there was a surge in the demand for food grains.
• The food grain prices shot up which was the result of increasing demand for food grains. This increasing demand for food grains was due to increasing industrialisation in Britain and expansion of urban centres.
• But the Government in Britain had imposed ‘Corn Laws’ under pressure from landed groups. As per Corn laws, restrictions were imposed by the Government on import of corn.
• Due to ever increasing food prices, urban dwellers and industrialists forced the British government to abolish the Corn laws.

Effect of Abolishing Corn Laws

• After Corn laws were removed, producing food within Britain was more expensive than importing food into Britain.
• Due to increasing industrialisation, the income of people started increasing which led to more food imports.
• As the prices of food started falling, the consumption of food in Britain started increasing.
• The agriculture sector in Britain could not compete with imports.
• As a result, thousands of women and men were out of work.
• Vast agricultural lands were left uncultivated.
• People started migrating overseas or people started moving to cities in search of jobs.