Background to
Industrialization
Learning Goal:
Which factors contributed to Great Britain’s
industrialization in the late 17th and early 18th
centuries?
Opening Question:
How did the Agricultural Revolution lead to
the Industrial Revolution?
Take 1 minute to study the map of a
Medieval manor. What are its major
features?
The Three-Field System
Oats
Fallow
Wheat



Two major planting
seasons, each on a
different field.
The third field
remained fallow Why?
Why did this system
last for so long?
The Four-Field System
“Turnip”
for what?
Oats

Turnips

Wheat
Clover
Photo Credit: Dan Klimke

18th Century – Wealthy
landowners sought to
increase production.
16th – 17th Century –
Dutch farmers
introduced new crops
 Clover
 Turnips
Introduced to England
by Charles “Turnip”
Townshend
The Enclosure
Movement

Common land and pasturage –
Traditional aspect of
agriculture.

18th Century – A movement to
consolidate land
 Fence off or “enclose” land
 Rented blocks of land, rather
than strips.

How did wealthy landlords
make this happen?

Results of enclosure?
The Enclosure
Movement
 16th Century – Bankers
began giving paper
receipts for deposits
 Funds available to
bearer upon request
 Bank of England –

Founded in 1694
 End of the 18th Century:

5 – 1,000 £ notes in
circulation
 How did the Bank of
England contribute to
industrialization?


Cottage Industry
 Carried out in
home – “Cottage”
 Workers known as
“Cotters”
Why did the cottage
industry face
challenges as the
price of cotton clothes
dropped?
Closing Question:
Why was Great Britain in a position to
industrialize by the late 18th century?