Top Dog Analysis: Agricultural Revolution
The agricultural revolution was one of the most important changes in European history. It allowed for an increase
in general health, lowered death rate, and increased birth rate. From 1650-1850, the agricultural revolution caused the biggest increase in European population in history.
The agricultural revolution first started when Jethro Tull invented the seed drill, which allowed farmers to evenly distribute seeds at the prime depth for fertilization and growing. When Charles “turnip” Townsend discovered crop rotation in 1750, he made it so that crops were not destroying the soil and keeping it fertile. These were excellent starts to a revolution, but they didn’t stop there. Robert Bakewell contributed scientific crop breeding so that there could be extremely successful results from harvests. Also, in 1831, McCormick developed a mechanical reaper that made less back-breaking work for harvesters in the field. In addition, when lightweight steel and animal work was introduced, harvests sped up immensely and became a lot easier.
These discoveries were vital to creating crops that would be sustaining, and lowered the occurrences of crop failures. The abundance of crops meant that lower class peasantry and serfs had much more availability to food and weren’t left starving every day. When everyone had access to food, the general population became healthier and had a better chance at survival. Women didn’t experience as many miscarriages or still born births, and there were lower rates of infant mortality. For the first time in European history, children were living longer and growing stronger. In accompaniment with a massive population increase, the average life expectancy was extended. The agricultural revolution allowed Europe’s population to become healthier, which allowed the population to explode and live longer and happier.
in general health, lowered death rate, and increased birth rate. From 1650-1850, the agricultural revolution caused the biggest increase in European population in history.
The agricultural revolution first started when Jethro Tull invented the seed drill, which allowed farmers to evenly distribute seeds at the prime depth for fertilization and growing. When Charles “turnip” Townsend discovered crop rotation in 1750, he made it so that crops were not destroying the soil and keeping it fertile. These were excellent starts to a revolution, but they didn’t stop there. Robert Bakewell contributed scientific crop breeding so that there could be extremely successful results from harvests. Also, in 1831, McCormick developed a mechanical reaper that made less back-breaking work for harvesters in the field. In addition, when lightweight steel and animal work was introduced, harvests sped up immensely and became a lot easier.
These discoveries were vital to creating crops that would be sustaining, and lowered the occurrences of crop failures. The abundance of crops meant that lower class peasantry and serfs had much more availability to food and weren’t left starving every day. When everyone had access to food, the general population became healthier and had a better chance at survival. Women didn’t experience as many miscarriages or still born births, and there were lower rates of infant mortality. For the first time in European history, children were living longer and growing stronger. In accompaniment with a massive population increase, the average life expectancy was extended. The agricultural revolution allowed Europe’s population to become healthier, which allowed the population to explode and live longer and happier.