AP Eh: Chapter 19, Agriculture & The Land

During the seventeenth century, a significant majority of people in Western Europe relied on agriculture for their livelihood. This is supported by the fact that 80% of the population made their living through agriculture, as stated in the answer. This indicates that a large portion of the population was involved in farming, cultivating crops, and raising livestock to sustain themselves and their communities.

Cornelius Vermuyden is associated with engineering a drainage system that reclaimed 40,000 acres for farming. This answer is supported by historical evidence, as Vermuyden was a Dutch engineer who played a significant role in draining the Fens in England during the 17th century. His innovative drainage techniques helped to reclaim large areas of marshland, making them suitable for agricultural use. This project had a major impact on the agricultural landscape of England and contributed to the agricultural revolution by increasing the amount of fertile land available for farming.

The picture above demonstrates the aspect of the agricultural revolution of the eighteenth century known as selective breeding and improvements in livestock. This can be inferred from the image showing different types of animals, which suggests that farmers were intentionally breeding specific traits to enhance the quality and productivity of their livestock. This practice of selective breeding was a significant development during the agricultural revolution, leading to the improvement of livestock breeds and ultimately increasing agricultural output.

Crop rotation is a practice that involves alternating the types of crops grown in a particular area to maintain soil fertility and prevent the build-up of pests and diseases. Experimental scientists would not oppose crop rotation because they are likely to support and engage in research to find innovative agricultural practices. On the other hand, noble landowners, small landowners, and poor peasants may have different reasons to oppose crop rotation, such as the cost of implementing the practice or the need for immediate profits from specific crops.

The open-field system was a medieval agricultural system in which large fields were divided into smaller strips and cultivated by individual farmers. The system relied on communal resources such as common lands and the gleaning of grain by poor villagers. However, consistent crop surpluses were not a characteristic of the open-field system. Instead, the system focused on subsistence farming, with farmers producing enough crops to sustain themselves and their families. Any surplus was typically minimal and used for trade or to prepare for potential lean years.

The agricultural revolution originated in the Low Countries because this region, which includes modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands, experienced significant advancements in farming techniques and technology during the 17th and 18th centuries. These advancements included the adoption of new crop rotation methods, the use of fertilizers, and the enclosure movement. The Low Countries became a center of agricultural innovation, leading to increased productivity and ultimately influencing agricultural practices in other parts of Europe and beyond.

Proletarianization refers to the process of transforming small peasant farmers into landless rural wage earners. This occurred as a result of the agricultural revolution of the eighteenth century. During this time, many peasants lost their land and became dependent on working for wages to survive. This shift from being independent farmers to being part of the working class is known as proletarianization.

The correct answer is the progressive elimination of the fallow. The agricultural revolution in Europe during the mid-seventeenth century and onwards involved a shift away from leaving fields fallow (uncultivated) in order to restore fertility. Instead, farmers started adopting practices that allowed them to continuously cultivate the land, such as crop rotation and the use of fertilizers. This led to increased agricultural productivity and played a significant role in the overall transformation of European agriculture.

The picture above demonstrates different aspects of the agricultural revolution of the eighteenth century. It shows the use of nitrogen-storing crops to replenish the soil, which helps improve soil fertility and productivity. Additionally, it depicts crop rotation, a practice where different crops are grown in a specific sequence on the same land to prevent soil depletion and increase yields. Lastly, it highlights the use of different crops to help the soil, indicating the importance of diversifying agricultural practices to maintain soil health and productivity.

The agricultural revolution of the eighteenth century eliminated the practice of gleaning of grain by poor villagers and poor people getting leftover crops. This means that with the advancements in agriculture during this time, there were changes in farming techniques and practices that made it unnecessary for poor villagers to rely on collecting leftover crops for their sustenance. The revolution likely introduced more efficient methods of harvesting and distributing crops, reducing the need for gleaning.