1. A Changing Society

2. Population Changes
New developments in agriculture forced many people to seek work in cities
yet also increased food production which led to a growing population
This growing population provided workers for factories
New towns and cities grew around factories
By 1851, urban population grew 41%

3. Medieval Farm System
Farmers and farm labourers in Britain worked small and scattered strips of land
Common lands were available for livestock grazing and foraging
Lived in small villages
Little changed in daily life

4. Enclosures Change Agriculture
With enclosures, landowners combined the many small strips of land into large fields and enclosed them with fences
Turned many plots into one large field
More efficient farming system

5. Small Farmers in Turmoil
Common lands became private
Villagers who used to be able to use common lands for foraging and livestock grazing were cut off
Only the rich could afford to pay fees required to use the land
Many small farmers had to sell their small plots of land to rich farmers

6. Big Business of Farming
Landowners began to farm to make a profit rather than to feed their family
Enclosures encouraged this change
Farmers willing to invest money in new technology

7. Seeding the Land Seeds were broadcast Throwing them broadly by hand
Medieval
Agricultural Revolution
Seeds were broadcast
Throwing them broadly by hand
Many seeds eaten by birds
The Seed drill pulled by horses and planted seeds in uniform rows
Less wasteful and faster than broadcasting
Reduced labour

8. Crop Rotation Land was left to fallow
Medieval
Agricultural Revolution
Land was left to fallow
Left unplanted to recover nutrients in the soil so crops could grow next year
Common Planting- growing plants like corn, beans, and squash together for mutual benefit
Rotating crops of turnips, barley, grasses, and wheat from field to field allowed farmers to use all lands every year
Turnips release nutrients into the soli
Grasses fed to livestock

9. New Crops
Travelers from the Americas brought back corn, beans, squash, and potatoes
Corn helped to increase the livestock population
Potatoes became a staple in Ireland

10. Livestock
An increase in fodder (plants to feed animals) they could keep more animals and breed them for profit
Cattle was now bred to provide meat instead of just milk
Sheep bred to have thicker wool
Livestock bred to be more resistant to disease

11. Agriculture and the Industrial Revolution
Farmers were now more productive than ever before and fewer were needed to feed the large city populations
Many small farmers unable to invest in new plants and animals sold farms and moved to the city
Food and people were available to encourage the industrial Revolution