The Agricultural Revolution: Foundation for Industrial Change

New farming techniques and tools were introduced

Farmers worked longer hours

There was more rainfall during these years

The population of farmers decreased

More calories available

Food became less affordable

Greater variety of foods improved average diet

Better nutrition led to improved health and longer lifespans

Improved drainage and fertilization

Added sand to heavy clay soil

Reclaimed boggy wetlands

Reduced crop yields

To increase crop variety

To restore soil nutrients

To reduce labor costs

To avoid weather dependence

It allowed land to rest fallow for longer periods.

It improved soil quality and increased livestock numbers.

It reduced the need for workers on farms.

It decreased the amount of fodder available for animals.

Wheat, oats, rye, barley

Wheat, turnips, barley, clover

Maize, potatoes, wheat, barley

Turnips, clover, oats, rye

Crop rotation

Selective breeding

Iron plows and seed drills

Fallow fields

It decreased yields due to contamination

It had no significant effect

It increased yields per acre significantly

It was only used as animal feed

Creation of surplus labor

Decrease in migration to cities

Expansion of manufacturing and mining

Increase in farm workers needed

More food

More workers

More consumers

More investment money

Iron tools improved both plows and factory machinery

Scientific approach to breeding applied to manufacturing processes

Success in agriculture created confidence in technological solutions

Factories replaced farms as the main source of food production

Crop rotation

Steam engine

Assembly line

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