Analyze which factor resulted in less available farmland and more privatized farmland during the industrial revolution
mechanical tools
enclosure
migration
urbanization
The factor that resulted in less available farmland and more privatized farmland during the industrial revolution was enclosure.
Enclosure refers to the process of converting common land or open fields into privately owned agricultural land, often fenced off or partitioned. This practice became widespread during the industrial revolution, particularly in Britain, as a result of legal changes and economic pressures.
Enclosure had several significant effects on farmland. Firstly, it reduced the amount of available land for farming. Prior to enclosure, many farms were semi-communal, where villagers collectively used and managed open fields for their crops and livestock. However, enclosure led to the consolidation of these smaller plots into larger, privately owned estates. Consequently, smaller farmers and peasants lost access to land and were displaced, which limited their ability to sustain themselves through agriculture.
Furthermore, enclosure facilitated the introduction of new agricultural technologies and practices, such as improved crop rotation and the use of more efficient mechanical tools. The increasing mechanization of agriculture allowed for higher productivity on the remaining enclosed land, leading to surplus production and higher yields. This, in turn, contributed to the consolidation of farmland into larger, more profitable holdings.
Migration and urbanization were also prominent during the industrial revolution. The rapid growth of industry and factories attracted a substantial number of rural workers to urban centers. This movement away from rural areas led to a decrease in the agricultural labor force and a decline in the demand for farmland. However, while migration and urbanization may have indirectly contributed to the reduction in available farmland, enclosure was the primary factor directly responsible for the loss of common land and the privatization of agricultural property.