What?: The introduction of machines in the production of agricultural goods.
Where?: Began in Great Britain and spread to the rest of Western Europe and America
When?: Mid 1700’s
Who?: Jethro Tull (seed Drill) Lord Townshend (Crop Rotation) Robert Blakewell (Stock Breeding) To name a few
How?: The invention of new machines and techniques were applied to agriculture.
Why?: New technologies allowed wealthy farmers to produce more enabling them to then sell more food and make more money.
Results: More food was produced with less effort by fewer workers creating surplus food and surplus workers.
Importance:
1) More food is produced allowing for population growth.
2) The use of machinery means that there are less jobs farming jobs available
3)Wealthy land owners begin buying up the land of poor farm owners.
4) Farmers unable to find work are forced to leave the countryside and move their families into the cities in search of work.
5)The gap between rich and poor begins to widen.
6) The spirit of invention and the creation of surplus workers helped spark the Industrial Revolution.
Related Terms:1) Enclosure Movement, 2) Seed Drill, 3) Glean, 4) Common