Agricultural revolution

As an agricultural revolution or agricultural revolution is referred to in general an upheaval of the previously existing agricultural structures, which must take place according to some definitions a violent intervention or political upheaval. Such a development is often accompanied by a modernization of agro-economic conditions, which is appropriate, be accompanied by a redeployment of ownership.

The economic developments that took place around 10,000 BC with the Neolithic Revolution, or were taking place in medieval Europe from the 8th century by the introduction of the three-field system, would therefore, as they were not enforced by a political measure, in the strict sense be regarded as agricultural revolutions.

In specific, the term often includes only those changes in agriculture of the 18th century that affected the countries of Central Europe and their environment. This development was due to the previous structural change in the British and Dutch agriculture that began there earlier use from 1600. Strictly speaking, one speaks but only after 1700, in English, from the middle of the 18th century. Well as in the Central European Agriculture of the phenomenon agrarian revolution and the generally recognized productivity gains associated with it Due to the resulting release of workers in the country, the impoverished ( pauperism ) and moved to the cities, and thus ushered in the process of urbanization, the agricultural revolution of the 19th century formed at the same time based, condition and promoting factor for the subsequent industrialization process in which England - as before in the agricultural revolution - also took a leading position. A side effect, which is particularly concerned the English room, was called the Enclosure Movement, the increasing privatization and enclosure of the common land. In many countries, sometimes in Prussia, was accompanied by the abolition of serfdom and the abolition of the feudal reforms to agricultural development. During this development, however, extended to the German countries over several centuries, serfdom was - at least formally - repealed in France during the French Revolution in one night ( 5 / August 6, 1789 ).

Another often referred to as agricultural revolution development is the expropriation of the Soviet landowners in the course of the October Revolution ( Decree on land). The mid-20th century incipient industrialization spurts in the agricultural sector are, however, usually referred to as the Green Revolution.

European agricultural revolution of the 18th and 19th century

Increased productivity through agricultural innovations

Around 1660, the major agricultural land in the United Kingdom found in the hands of a few large landowners, most of whom were of noble, rare of bourgeois origin. These leased their rural possessions in a big way to so-called "Farmer " which, due to their dependence on increasingly forced and at the same time endeavor by all possible profitable to conduct our business effectively and productively. Therefore, they were interested in technical innovations, resulting in an actual increase in agricultural productivity resulted. A similar trend was a little later on the continent.

The emergence of agricultural science and agricultural chemistry as a scientific discipline

In both cases, the performance gains were sometimes favored by the emergence of agriculture to a new scientific discipline: Agricultural Research Institute were established and more frequently in the 19th century and agricultural studies published that promised innovations and achievements in this very sector. Albrecht Daniel Thaer, who is considered the founder of agricultural science teaching, for example, developed the high-yielding crop rotation, as he (so-called Thaer's Garden ) founded the first German agricultural teaching institution and operation of scientific studies. Alexander von Humboldt, Justus von Liebig and others are led by first agrochemical investigations and thus intensified the use of fertilizers. So even science contributed their share to the increases in productivity.

Overview

Important features of the " agricultural revolution " that helped to increase the productivity per unit area were

• The intensification of agriculture, the implementation since 1760 by the replacement of the three-field system on the part of the crop rotation or the so-called improved three-field system and through the cultivation of new varieties of plants
• The expansion of cultivated land by cultivating Öd and fallow land ( including through the draining of marshes, clearing or drainage ),
• The expansion of the forage cropping and stall-feeding throughout the year (winter stall-feeding ),
• The scheduled breeding improvement and earnings growth of livestock,
• Mechanization through technical inventions such as machines or tools
• As well as the increased use of natural and agrochemical agents and the associated onset of fertilizer management.

Intensification of farming methods

A revolutionary development in agro- economic level formed on the one hand, the introduction of crop rotation, because of its ingenious method in which no acreage remains unused until this day.

At the same time took with it but also the width of the cultivated food and fodder plants. In addition to the potato ( hoe ), which was of great importance as new people food, the range will be extended here by the cultivation of sugar beet, clover, cabbage, corn, carrots, rape, hops, buckwheat, and alfalfa. In other areas, in which the new crop rotation did not reach the outdated three-field system was replaced by an improved form, although greater use, but do not like the crop rotation allowed the cultivation of the total arable land.

The cultivation of the potato set forth not only for broad strata of the population, especially for the rural poor, a new staple, but they could also be used for pig, which in turn meat products became more affordable.

Manure management

Various natural fertilizers such as manure, bone meal, coal ash, municipal waste or sand also increased yields.

In addition, new agrochemical compositions, based on the acquired scientific knowledge (see above), were introduced. Alexander von Humboldt in 1800 recommended the use of guano, while around the same time Squidward Haenke advocated the use of Chilean nitrate. Another new feature on agrochemical area were the discoveries of Justus von Liebig, who performed for the first time systematic studies and the super phosphates discovered as fertilizer.

Varieties

Foreign cattle were imported to breed by crossing meaty possible animals. Likewise, there were breeds of pigs.

Mechanization

Agricultural Equipment ( threshing and sowing ) were constantly evolving. For example, the first cast iron plow, the first steam plow in England in 1785 was patented in 1861 invented. However, such completely new technical inventions failed often the breakthrough, sometimes even protest actions have been launched to curb their use as much as possible.

Privatization and Enclosure Movement

Even in the early modern period increased in England landowners at the expense of small farmers (see above). We have to put together the far-flung areas under cultivation and divided the commons ( the common floor space to pasture and forest) and also fenced. Especially in the 18th century, these enclosures were becoming more common. The result of these so-called Enclosure Movement development was that the farmers had less and less wood and grazing land for their cattle.

Consequences in relation to the Industrial Revolution: pauperism, urbanization and redundancies

They were also able with the prices of the big landowners, which sold low by agricultural innovations their products, not compete. These ratios, the increasing commercialization and competition, led to the structural impoverishment of the rural population and also contributed - along with the industrial developments - for future phenomenon of pauperism at. Most now sold their modest possessions, were detected in the large landowners do as agricultural laborers or migrated in hopes of better living conditions in the cities from ( sheep eat men) to find as wage workers find a new job. Similarly, the increasing use of machinery was a reason for unemployment and out-migration of farmers, farms connected with a death. In such possessions also increased agricultural production was enhanced by various innovations.

The emigration of many people in the cities (urbanization ), which had been caused by agrarian revolution and Enclosure Movement, was a precondition for the subsequent industrialization process. Addition was due to release of workers in the cities sufficient staff for the industry present.

In 1800 was still about 75 % of the workforce employed in agriculture. The constant innovations made ​​it possible to supply the rapidly increasing urban population with sufficient food. In this respect, the agrarian revolution promoted alongside other factors such as improved medical care, population growth, which ended in the industrial age in the demographic revolution ( population explosion ). Thus, the market grew, although the mass of the population continued to live in abject poverty.