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Agricultural Revolution

Definition

The Agricultural Revolution refers to the significant changes in farming practices that occurred during the 18th and early 19th centuries in Europe. These changes, which included crop rotation and selective breeding of livestock, led to a massive increase in food production.

Analogy

Think of the Agricultural Revolution like upgrading from an old flip phone to a modern smartphone. Just as new technology made phones more efficient and capable, new farming techniques dramatically increased productivity and changed agriculture forever.

Related terms

Four-field rotation system: The four-field rotation system is a method of farming that involves dividing land into four sections or fields. Different crops are grown on each field every year in a rotating sequence, which helps maintain soil fertility over time.

Medieval two-field crop rotation system: The medieval two-field crop rotation system was a farming method used during the Middle Ages where farmland was divided into two parts. One part would be planted with crops while the other lay fallow (unused) for a year to restore its fertility.

Enclosure Movement: The Enclosure Movement was another key aspect of the Agricultural Revolution where open fields were fenced off into individual plots. This allowed for more efficient farming but also caused social upheaval as many peasants lost access to common lands.