The Analysis Of British Agricultural Prosperity In The Mid-19th Century

The mid-19th century is known as the "golden age" of agricultural development in the history of British agriculture. During this period, the number of agricultural population was relatively stable, the cultivated area and agricultural production increased, and the crop varieties also showed a growing trend. On the one hand, the agricultural prosperity of this period was closely related to the British agricultural environment, as well as the support of the government and associations at that time. On the other hand, changes in the agricultural system, the introduction and application of new technologies, and the development of related industries also greatly promoted the development of British agriculture. However, this period of agricultural prosperity was followed by the 1870s agricultural crisis. The recession triggered by this crisis has its objective causes and external background, but the adverse factors hidden inside the prosperity of British agriculture is undeniable. In this article, the causes, performance and influence of the British agricultural prosperity in mid-19th century will be illustrated, the British agricultural development in this period will be clarified, and the experience and inspiration for the later generations will be explored. This article includes three main parts:introduction, discussion and conclusion. The discussion includes four chapters. The details are shown in following paragraphs.The introduction mainly includes three parts:research review, research methods, innovative points and significance of this article. Research review analyzes the results, characteristics and trends of both domestic and international British agriculture research. It reflects the current academic research priorities and main directions of the British agricultural history and shows the significance of this article in British agriculture research.The first chapter starts from the agricultural population, arable land, agricultural production and varieties, and describes the comprehensive performance of British agricultural prosperity in mid nineteenth century, including the enhancement of agricultural production level and the increase in agricultural production and varieties. The growth of agricultural production level is mainly reflected in three perspectives:the relatively stable agricultural population, the increasing agricultural acreage and the increasing agricultural labor productivity. The increases in agricultural production and agricultural varieties are reflected not only in food and forage crops, but also in economic crops and animal products.The second chapter investigates the internal factors of agricultural prosperity in this period, including the changes in the agricultural system, the innovation of agricultural technology and the impact of parliamentary enclosure movement. During this period, the British developed a so-called "farming methods with widely applied fertilizer." The development of this approach was a comprehensive process of agricultural innovations in tillage technology, crop cultivation and feed updates, etc. Agricultural technology innovation included improvement of production tools, refinement of soil and introduction of crop varieties, etc. Under the guidance of appropriate agricultural technologies, agricultural production increased and types of agricultural products continuously enriched.The third chapter analyzes the external factors of agricultural prosperity during this period, including the development of related industries, the support of government and various associations, etc. The rapid development of transportation, which was closely related to the agriculture, played a crucial role in the market of agricultural products. The construction of road, rail and canal made the whole territory of the United Kingdom form a dense transportation network, which was connected to the commercialization process of agricultural products. The government and the associations played crucial roles in facilitating the development of British agriculture.The fourth chapter analyzes of the underlying causes of the agricultural prosperity in this period, and the positive impact of the British agricultural prosperity in the following areas:population migration, agricultural zoning, industrial production and social development. This chapter also discusses the internal defects of agricultural development and its adverse effects on the British agricultural development after 1870s.The conclusion summarizes and refines the overall content, and discusses the causes, performances and significances of the mid-19th century British agriculture prosperity. This part also discusses two facets. The first point is about important lessons worthy of learning from British agriculture prosperity for the development of agriculture in China.The second is about what role the government should play in the agricultural development.