The agricultural revolution was a period of change in the production system in Europe between the 18th and 19th centuries. This is called the second agricultural revolution.
The first agricultural revolution took place 10,000 years BC, in the Neolithic period. At this time in history, men migrated from the hunting and gathering system to agriculture.
Abstract
The contemporary agricultural revolution occurred with the increase of technologies to the techniques applied until then.
The objective was to increase production and productivity. The results were obtained through techniques such as crop rotation, seed diversification and equalization of space for livestock.
In England, the law was passed that allowed the purchase of public fields by the high bourgeoisie. The act forced the migration of small farmers to the cities.
These workers would later be the labor that would supply factories during the Industrial Revolution.
Farm improvement was also achieved through:
- Use of horses, which increased productivity and reduced the need for human power employed from planting to harvest
- Large-scale planting of new products, including potatoes and corn
- Limitation of Common Land for Small Farmers
- Land concentration - large estate
- Climate favorable to more accessible crops
- Increase in livestock activity
- Best performance
- Change of ownership patterns
- Investment in research to reduce soil impoverishment
- Production of nutrients to enrich the soil and ensure food production
Agricultural Revolution in the Neolithic Period
The Neolithic period (8000 BC to 5000 BC) is marked by the phenomenon that became known as the first agricultural revolution.
It is in this period of human history that man discovers fire. The discovery makes possible the beginning of the control of techniques to dominate the production of food.
The rustic tools of the Paleolithic period (3.5 million BC to 8 thousand BC) are perfected for agricultural activity. That's why this phase is also called the Neolithic Revolution.
In addition to agriculture, man begins to dominate animal husbandry. Both factors are decisive for reducing travel in search of water and food. Until then, the tribes were essentially nomads, hunters and gatherers.
Urban Revolution
The agricultural communities that emerged in the Neolithic gave rise to the first urban centers. As they ceased to be nomads, the tribes concentrated around agricultural activity. This period is called the urban revolution.
The first urban and self-sufficient communities begin to emerge in southern Mesopotamia.
Industrial Revolution
The industrial revolution took place in England in the 18th century. It was marked by the replacement of labor by the machine.
Among its consequences were the crisis of the Old Regime, the consolidation of industrial capitalism and the end of the Middle Ages.
Complete your search. Also read:
- Industrial Revolution
- Causes of the Industrial Revolution
- Consequences of the Industrial Revolution
- Neolithic Period or Polished Stone Age
- Prehistory
- Man in Prehistory