One of the significant precursors to the Industrial Revolution was the end of the so-called "open field system" during the Enclosure Movement in Englad during the 18th Century. Many families lost their traditional holdings and ultimately drifted into the growing industrial cities in search of work. What one historian has described as a "tragedy for the few, and a boon for the majority" resulted in increased yields and enough nutrition to support a "mini-population boom." Although the above is a map of a village in Sweeden, it indicates the land ownership patterns of England before the Enclosure Movement. The illustration indicates an artist's construction of the confrontation between traditional landowners and the new rural bourgeoisie, the "gentry."
The clip below is general but offers a good introduction to the reasons why the Industrial Revolution began in England.
No comments:
Post a Comment