An Agricultural Revolution A Key Component of the industrial revolution

Sinking Money into the Earth Strip farming methods (used in medieval times) where farmers had small & scattered strips of land were inefficient Over time, landowners began to consolidate the small strips into larger fields – a movement called “enclosure” Larger fields meant farmers spent less time working land, and could work it more profitably (i.e. make more money) Enclosure speeded up enormously after 1700

Enclosures – Turned into private land Large areas of land held by villages known as “commons” - which could be used by anyone in the village - started to be turned into private property Parliament passed laws making it possible for the commons to be divided up In theory, all villagers were entitled to this land – but in practice, only the better-off could afford to pay the high fees The amount of land available increased a great deal, but mostly wealthy famers could take advantage of enclosures

Poor Farmers Poor farmers left in unfortunate circumstances – loss of commons land was a particular hardship. No longer had a place to graze their cows and sheep Commons had also been a place to collect wood, acorns and other products to eke out a living for people Many small farmers were driven to despair by the enclosures – forced to sell their farms to richer landowners who could afford to take advantage of the situation

Farming as a Business Enclosures led to a new attitude toward agriculture – Farming became a business – people began to farm to earn a profit vs. just to support themselves Large landowners could take advantage of the technological innovations in farming techniques that occurred at this time New plants and animals were introduced Farming become more mechanized

A Push to the Cities Most of the small farmers who sold their land spent the money quickly Sometimes they could become farm labourers But more often farming families had no choice but to pursue work in the city Cities were flooded with unemployed farmers and their families On the other hand, the new city populations could be fed because the enclosed farms produced much more food than the old-fashioned, small farms had

How does the following passage relate to the industrial revolution and the push toward more efficient, and profitable farming methods that were mechanized and treated farming as a business rather than a means to live and survive? (4 sentences) What distinctions does Steinback make between man and the living things in the barn vs. the tractor (a machine) and the tractor driver? Use a couple example quotes to explain your thinking (6 sentences)