explain briefly the factor which led to the enclosure in england
Answers
i) In the 16th century price of wool increased. This prompted rich farmers to expand wool production to increase profits. For this purpose they were keen to enclose lands.
(ii) To improve sheep breeding and ensure good feed enclosures become necessary. They therefore began to enclose common land and grow hedges around their holdings to keep out the poor.
(iii) These enclosures were usually created by individual efforts and not supported by the state or church.
(iv) While 16th century enclosures were driven by need to increase wool production, those in the 18th century were a result of need to increase grain production.
(v) Rapid expansion of English population, growing industrialisation and urbanisation led to increase in demand and price of grain.
(vi) By end of 18th century England was at war with France. This disrupted import of food grain supplies. As prices increased further, landowners enclosed lands to bring land under cultivation. Landowners pressurised the Parliament to pass Enclosure Acts.
(vii) By 1850, nearly 6 million hectares of land was enclosed and the British Parliament had passed 4,000 Acts legalising these enclosures.
The factors which led to the enclosures in England were:-
1. Increasing population and due to it increasing demand for food grains and other things led to the enclosuer in England.
2. The rising prices of agricultural products such as wool, wheat, milk, fruits etc. also played the role in promoting enclosures in England.
3. Industrialisation and war needs made foodgrain prices soar, making it necessary to take steps to increase its production.
4. In the nineteenth-century, enclosures were seen necessary to make long-term investments on land and plan crop rotations to improve the soil.
5. Enclosures also allowed the richer landowners to expand the land under their control and produce for the market.