The Agricultural Revolution

In the 18th century a series of Enclosure Acts were passed in Great Britain that enclosed open field and common lands. Therefore, larger and more profitable farms were created.  This also meant a lot of public and communal land which the peasents had been cultivating as their own, was returned to the landowners. Many peasants were forced to emigrate to the industrial cities.

There were also some farming improvements:

• The three fields system was replaced by the Norfolk system which did not leave any field fallow
• New machinery was introduced
• Fertilisers began to be used.