write a note to explain the effect of the following: The British government decision to abolish the Corn Laws
Answers
(i) Effect of The British Government’s Decision to Abolish Corn Law : Once the Corn Law was abolished, food could be imported into Britain cheaply.
(ii) Coming of the rinderpest to Africa : Rinderpest a fast spreading disease of cattle plague. It was brought to Africa by European in late 1880s.
It spread westward ‘like forest fire’ destroying almost 90% of African cattle wealth. It destroyed the livelihood of the Africans and paved the way for conquest of Africa.
(iii) After the First World War, most men of working- age were either maimed or dead. These deaths and injuries reduced the workforce of able bodied people. With fewer members in the family, household incomes declined after the war.
(iv) Effect of Great Depression on the Indian Economy : Since by 20th century economy of all countries got interlinked and integrated, the great depression of US in 1929 had a great impact even on India.
The depression immediately affected Indian trade. In 19th century India became an exporter of agricultural goods and importer of manufactures. Herexportand import nearly halved between 1928-34. As international prices crashed, prices in India also plunged. Peasants and farmers were worst hit. Colonial rulers refused to reduce revenue.
Answer:
The British government's decision to abolish the Corn Laws lead to the inflow of cheaper agricultural crops from America and Australia. British agriculture was unable to compete with imports.
Many English farmers left their profession and migrated to towns and cities. Some went overseas. This indirectly led to global agriculture and rapid urbanization, a prerequisite of industrial growth. Faster industrial growth in Britain also led to higher incomes, and therefore more foo imports. In Eastern Europe, Russia, America and Australia-lands were cleared and food production expanded to meet the British demand.