5.4 The Second Agricultural Revolution

This builds off of the previous section, which focused on the evolution of agriculture overtime and the diffusion agricultural practices. The Second Agricultural Revolution was a major turning point in agriculture, so you should focus on the major advancements and significant impacts that it had on agricultural techniques. 

What Was the Second Agricultural Revolution?

The Second Agricultural Revolution was a period of rapid agricultural development in Britain that took place between the 16th and early 19th centuries. It was characterized by a number of changes and innovations that transformed the way food was produced and consumed.

One of the key factors driving the Agricultural Revolution was the enclosure movement, which saw the consolidation of small, open fields into larger, enclosed fields that were easier to manage and more productive. This was accompanied by the adoption of new crop and animal husbandry techniques, as well as the use of new tools and machinery, such as the seed drill and threshing machine.

Why is the Second Agricultural Revolution Important?

The Agricultural Revolution also led to significant changes in the way food was processed and consumed. For example, the development of new food preservation techniques, such as canning and refrigeration, made it possible to transport and store food over longer distances, and the growth of urban centers led to the development of a more diverse and sophisticated food culture. Overall, the British Agricultural Revolution had a major impact on the way food was produced and consumed in Britain, and it laid the foundations for modern agriculture as we know it today.

Advancements

During this time, there were several key advancements that transformed the way that farming was conducted in Britain. Some of the main advancements of the Second Agricultural Revolution include:

1. Enclosure Movement: This was a process by which traditional common lands were enclosed and consolidated into larger, privately-owned farms. This allowed for more efficient farming practices and increased production.
2. Selective Breeding: Farmers began to selectively breed animals in order to produce offspring with desired traits. This resulted in the development of new breeds of animals that were more productive and efficient.
3. New Crops: The introduction of new crops, such as turnips and clover, allowed farmers to rotate their crops and improve the fertility of their soil.
4. Improved Tools: The development of new tools and machinery, such as the threshing machine and the plow, made it easier and more efficient for farmers to work the land. Overall, the British Agricultural Revolution resulted in significant increases in agricultural productivity and allowed Britain to become a major food producer. It also laid the foundation for the Industrial Revolution, which transformed the country's economy and society.

 

Summary

• New technology
  • Technologies provided by the Industrial Revolution increased production and distribution
• Increase in food production
  • Fields doubled or tripled
  • Use of advanced, more efficient technologies

Impacts

Some of the main impacts of the Agricultural Revolution include:

1. Increased Food Production: One of the most significant impacts of the Agricultural Revolution was the dramatic increase in food production. This allowed Britain to feed its rapidly growing population and become a major food producer.
2. Economic Growth: The Agricultural Revolution contributed to the growth of the British economy, as increased food production led to higher profits for farmers and related industries.
3. Rural-Urban Migration: The Agricultural Revolution also contributed to the growth of cities as people migrated from rural areas to urban centers in search of work. This led to the development of new industries and contributed to the Industrial Revolution.
4. Social Changes: The Agricultural Revolution brought about significant changes in the social structure of Britain, as traditional rural communities were transformed and new forms of property ownership emerged. Overall, the British Agricultural Revolution had far-reaching impacts on British society and the economy, and laid the foundation for the Industrial Revolution.

 

Summary

• Healthier, more nutritious diets
• Longer life expectancies
• Increased productivity-> increased population
• More people moved to cities (because of increased efficiency)
  • Emergence of urban industrial centers

🎥 Watch: AP HUG - Changes in Agriculture

Key Questions

Where did the Second Agricultural Revolution first take place?

The British Agricultural Revolution first took place in the southeast of England, particularly in the counties of Kent and Sussex. This region had a number of advantages that made it well-suited to the development of commercial agriculture, including fertile soil, a mild climate, and proximity to major markets in London and other urban centers. The Agricultural Revolution spread to other parts of England and Wales over time, as new technologies and techniques were developed and adopted by farmers. However, it took longer to reach other parts of the country, such as the north and west, which tended to have poorer soil and a harsher climate. The Agricultural Revolution also had a significant impact on Scotland and Ireland, but these countries underwent their own agricultural revolutions that were distinct from the one in England.

What were the main goals of the second agricultural revolution?

The main goal of the British Agricultural Revolution was to increase food production and improve the efficiency of farming. This was driven by a number of factors, including:

• A growing population: The population of Britain increased dramatically during the 18th and 19th centuries, creating a need for more food.
• Urbanization: As more people moved to cities, there was an increasing demand for food from urban markets.
• Industrialization: The Industrial Revolution created a need for more food to feed the growing number of factory workers.
• Trade: Britain was becoming a major trading nation, and agricultural exports were an important part of this trade. To achieve these goals, farmers adopted new technologies and techniques that allowed them to cultivate crops more efficiently and produce larger quantities of food. They also began to focus on the production of specific crops that were in high demand, such as wheat and potatoes, which could be grown on a large scale and sold for a good price.

What were the potential positive and negative impacts of the second agricultural revolution on the environment and small-scale farmers?

The British Agricultural Revolution, which took place in the 18th and 19th centuries, had a number of potential positive and negative impacts on the environment and small-scale farmers.

Some of the potential positive impacts included:

1. Increased food production: The Agricultural Revolution led to significant increases in food production, which helped to feed the growing population.
2. Economic growth: The Agricultural Revolution contributed to economic growth in Britain by increasing the efficiency of food production and leading to the development of new industries.
3. Improved living standards: The increased productivity and efficiency of agriculture during the Agricultural Revolution led to improvements in living standards for many people in Britain. However, there were also potential negative impacts, including:

• Environmental degradation: The Agricultural Revolution involved the widespread adoption of new farming techniques, such as the enclosure of common land and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which had negative impacts on the environment.
• Displacement of small-scale farmers: Many small-scale farmers were displaced as a result of the Agricultural Revolution, as they were unable to compete with the larger, more efficient farms that emerged.
• Decreased biodiversity: The Agricultural Revolution led to the widespread cultivation of a few high-yield crop varieties, which reduced biodiversity in the agricultural landscape.
• Poor working conditions: Many farm workers during the Agricultural Revolution worked long hours in poor conditions for low pay.

How has the second agricultural revolution influenced current farming practices?

The British Agricultural Revolution had a number of lasting impacts on farming practices that are still evident today. Some of the ways in which the Agricultural Revolution has influenced current farming practices include:

1. Technological advances: Many of the technological advances that were developed during the Agricultural Revolution, such as mechanization, are still in use today.
2. Specialization: The Agricultural Revolution led to the specialization of agriculture, with different regions of the country focusing on different crops or livestock. This specialization has continued to the present day.
3. Intensive farming: The Agricultural Revolution also led to the development of intensive farming practices, such as the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which are still in use today.
4. Agricultural policy: The Agricultural Revolution had a significant impact on the development of agricultural policy in Britain, and many of the policies put in place during this time, such as subsidies for farmers, are still in effect today.
5. Global trade: The Agricultural Revolution contributed to the development of global trade in agricultural products, and this trend has continued to the present day.

Overall Summary

The Second Agricultural Revolution, also known as the British Agricultural Revolution, was a period of technological and social innovation in agriculture that took place in the 20th century. It was characterized by the introduction of new technologies and techniques that increased crop yields and improved food security. Here are some key points about the Second Agricultural Revolution:

• The British Agricultural Revolution was a period of rapid agricultural development in Britain between the 16th and early 19th centuries.
• It saw the transformation of small-scale farming into large-scale, commercial agriculture. This was made possible by a number of factors, including:
• The use of new technologies such as the seed drill, which made it possible to sow seeds more efficiently, and the threshing machine, which made it easier to separate grain from the chaff.
• The enclosure movement, which saw the consolidation of small, scattered plots of land into larger, more efficient farms.
• The development of new crops, such as potatoes and turnips, which were more resistant to pests and diseases and required less labor to cultivate.
• The growth of urban markets, which created a demand for foodstuffs that could be produced on a large scale.
• The British Agricultural Revolution had a profound impact on British society and the economy, leading to a dramatic increase in food production and a decline in rural poverty. It also had a significant impact on the global economy, as Britain became a major exporter of agricultural products.