NCERT 9th Class (CBSE) Social Science: Peasants and Farmers

Question: “The coming of modern agriculture in England thus meant many different changes.” Explain.

Answer:

1. The open fields disappeared, and the customary rights of peasants were undermined.
2. The richer farmers expanded grain production, sold this grain in the world market, made profits, and became powerful.
3. The poor left their villages in large numbers. Some went from the Midlands to the Southern counties where jobs were available, others to the cities.
4. The income of laborers became unstable, their jobs insecure, their livelihood precarious.

Question: What was the impact of enclosures on the poor farmers?
Or
How were the poor affected by the enclosure movement?
Or
Mention any four features of enclosure system prevailing in England.

Answer:

1. Before the enclosures: Before the late 18th century the countryside in Britain was open. i.e. it was not partitioned into enclosed lands privately owned by landlords.
2. New fences: When fences came up, the enclosed land became the exclusive property of landowners. The poor could no longer collect their firewood from the forests, or graze their cattle on the commons.
3. Restrictions: The new enclosed system put up various restrictions on the poor. They could no longer collect apples and berries, or hunt small animals for meat. Nor could they gather the stalks that lay on the fields after the crops were harvested.
4. Displacement of poor: In places, where enclosures happened on an extensive scale, particularly the Midlands and the countries around- the poor were displaced from the land. They found their customary rights gradually disappearing.
5. Migration: Deprived of their rights, and driven off the land, they tramped in search of work. From the Midlands, they moved to the southern countries of England. This was a region that was most intensively cultivated, and there was a great demand for agricultural laborers. But nowhere could the poor find secure jobs.

Question: Explain briefly the factors which led to the enclosures in England.

Answer:

1. Rising Demand for Wool: In the 16th century, the demand for wool went up in the world market. This had a direct impact on the price of wool and profits. Rich farmers wanted to expand wool production to earn more profits. For this, they were eager to improve their sheep breeds. They started enclosing open fields to provide proper pastures to the sheep.
2. Various Acts: The early enclosures were usually created by individual landlords. They were not supported by the state or the church. But after 1850, many Acts were passed to legalize the enclosures.
3. Rapid Rise in Population: There was a rapid growth of population of England between the 18th and the 19th centuries. Between 1750 and 1900, it multiplied over four times. The increased population means more demand for food grains and other Products. Due to increase in population the pressure on land also increased and the people had no other option except to enclose open fields.
4. Increase in Demand for Food grains: There was shortage of food grains in England due to increase in population and war with France. Price of food grains in England sky. Rocketed, encouraging landowners to enclose lands and enlarge the area under grain cultivation.
5. Use of Machinery: As the demand for food grains was increasing at a very fast rate, the rich people started using machines. These machines needed large farms. So the rich landlords started enclosing more and open fields.
6. Long-term Investments: Enclosures were also seen as to make long-term investments on land, and plan crop rotations to improve the soil.

Question: ‘From the late 19th century, there was a dramatic expansion of wheat production in the USA.’ Give four reasons for this expansion.
(or)
Which country was known as the bread basket of the world during nineteenth century? Describe the factors responsible for the expansion of agriculture in the country.

Answer:USA was known as the bread basket of the world during the 19th century.

1. The White settlers: A large number of White settlers moved towards west of America in the late 19th century, They slashed and burnt forests, pulled out the stumps, cleared the land for cultivation, and built log cabins in the forest clearings. Then they cleared larger areas, and erected fences around, the fields. They ploughed the land and sowed com and wheat.
2. The new technology: The dramatic expansion of agriculture was made possible by new technology. Ste-km tractors, harvesters, reapers played very important role. To break the sod and turn the soil over, a variety of new ploughs were devised locally. In 1831, Cyrus McCormick invented the first mechanical reaper which could cut in one day as much as five men could cut with cradles and 16 men with sickles. By the early twentieth century, most farmers were using combined harvesters to cut grain. With one of these machines, 500 acres of wheat could be harvested in two weeks.
   Tractors, harvesters, reapers played very important role. To break the sod and turn the soil over, a variety of new ploughs were devised locally. In 1831, Cyrus McCormick invented the first mechanical reaper which could cut in one day as much as five men could cut with cradles and 16 men with sickles. By the early twentieth century, most farmers were using combined harvesters to cut grain. With one of these machines, 500 acres of wheat could be harvested in two weeks.
3. High demand: From the late nineteenth century, there was a dramatic expansion of wheat production in the USA. The urban population in the USA was growing and the export market was becoming ever bigger. As the demand increased, wheat prices rose, encouraging farmers to produce wheat.
4. Spread of Railway: The spread of railway to the countryside helped in linking the local market with the international market as it made it easy to transport the grain from the wheat growing regions to the eastern coast for export.
5. The First World War and soaring demand: By the early twentieth century the demand became even higher, and during the First World War the world market boomed. Russian supplies of wheat were cut off and the USA had to feed Europe. US President Wilson called upon farmers to respond to the need of the time. ‘Plant more wheat will win the war he said.