Agricultural Revolutions

For many thousands of years, people were hunter-gatherers (nomads). What About Before? For many thousands of years, people were hunter-gatherers (nomads).

Hunters and Gatherers TODAY There are still a few societies left that follow hunting and gathering traditions: Spinifex of Australia Sentinelese of India Bushman of Namibia and Botswana Total- about 250,000 of 7B+! Click if you are curious!

Agriculture the modification of Earth’s surface through cultivation of plants and raising of animals to obtain sustenance or economic gain. subsistence individual farming to meet own needs commercial economic gain Click to Learn

Subsistence vs Commercial Ag COMMERCIAL  *Large areas of land required *Capital intensive *Fewer farmers *Inanimate power and mechanized *Based on science/technology *Crops sold for profit- has a business focus  *MDCs SUBSISTENCE  *Small plots of land   *Labor intensive *Many farmers *Animate power *Mostly for family/community consumption LDCs

What Do You See?

What Do You See?

Three Agricultural Eras Historians and scientists identify 3 major eras of agriculture: Neolithic Agricultural Revolution British Agricultural Revolution Green Agricultural Revolution

1st Agricultural Revolution The Fertile Crescent TURN and TALK…What do you already KNOW?

Advantages… Disadvantages Make a quick T chart and take notes as you watch/listen to these videos! Advantages of Agriculture Disadvantages of Agriculture

1st Agricultural Revolution Neolithic Revolution Fertile crescent … 10,000 years ago Crops domesticated here: barley, oats, rye This led to… PEOPLE STAYING IN ONE PLACE! - populations grow cities specialization governments Click to watch

Over time… More crops (variety) were domesticated Animals were domesticated, and integrated into the farming practices as beasts of burden and sources of fertilizer. Animals were also - sources of food - source of fiber/leather - pets

1st Ag Revolution: Learning with Tim and Moby!

Domestication… Why There? Why Now? Environmental and Cultural Factors About the same time as the end of the last ice age Human nature (prefer living in a “fixed” place) Observation (If I drop a berry a new plant grows) Note…agriculture was established in multiple places around the world at about the same time in history, resulting in 5 main hearths.

Crop Hearths 4 2 3 5 1

Agricultural Hearths

Check Out North America’s Contributions

Animal Hearths

Sauer Says Agriculture… Was started by people who had enough food to remain settled in one place. Started in regions where many different kinds of wild plants grew. Started in areas where climates change with differing sun exposure and altitude. Vegetative planting came 1st then seed planting.

Vegetative Planting Direct cloning from existing plants, such as cutting stems and dividing roots. Plants found growing wild were deliberately divided and transplanted.

Seed Agriculture Reproduction of plants through annual planting of seeds. Seed agriculture is practiced by most farmers today.

Subsistence Agriculture Producing enough food to survive For thousands of years… this was it!

Cool Timeline Click to learn

1st Ag Revolution: Review with Crash Course Click to learn

1st Ag Revolution Review Click to learn

2nd Agricultural Revolution The British Revolution… linked to mechanization of the Industrial Revolution 17th -18th century Europe (then spread) Europe was becoming more industrial and urban

2nd Ag Revolution Farmers ↑ farm size Fenced in their land Field rotation More efficient machinery Animal breed selection Importing food Click to watch

2nd Ag Revolution All this made it possible to feed large urban populations who couldn’t grow their own food! HELLO COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

2nd Ag Revolution: Key Inventions and Inventors Click to learn

Review the 2nd Ag (British) Revolution Click to learn

3rd Agricultural Revolution AKA… the “Green Revolution” 1930s- 1960s population boom caused a food shortage in LDCs Scientists began experimenting with manipulated seeds to increase crop yields.

Maize in Mexico The Green Revolution began in Mexico in the 1940s to expand their crop production to keep pace with the growing demands of a rapidly rising population. Mexico wanted to become self-sufficient in corn and wheat production.

Nobel Peace Prize Click to watch

In India… IR36 Genetically Modified (GM) strain of rice larger head stronger stem resistant against 15 pests growing cycle of 110 days (3x as fast) Click to watch

3rd Ag Revolution Has increased food yield which helps combat hunger. Criticisms Genetic modification Environmental hazards (soil depletion) High cost of seeds Increased use of pesticides and fertilizers Click to watch

What Do You See?

Awesome Ag Revolutions Review Click to learn