Agriculture and the Industrial Revolution
by The impact of the industrial revolution on agriculture, and perhaps the affect that agriculture had in return upon the industrial revolution is examined below.
Great Britain was the first country that fully embraced the industrial revolution and in many respects its lead in the process of industrialisation was heavily assisted by an earlier agricultural revolution-taking place there.
The agricultural revolution that took place in Great Britain in fact contributed to the onset of the industrial revolution in the first place. Improvements in agricultural techniques and production provided extra capital to be invested in the newly emerging industries throughout Great Britain. Besides freeing up capital to be used in new industries the agricultural changes allowed farm workers to leave the countryside to work in industrial factories and mines.
More efficient agricultural techniques and raised levels of production meant that fewer farm workers were required as well as meaning that higher urban populations could be fed. Although Great Britain was the first country to industrialise other countries identified the strong connection between increased agricultural efficiency and finding the surplus capital required to fund the industrial revolution in their respective national economies.
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