The document encompasses a relatively detailed summary of the Agrarian History course. In my opninion the document follow a logical cause and efffect structure. Important characteristics of certain developments are summarized in bullet points.
Lecture 1 – Introducti on
Eastern Europe known for arable farming, rye for export to Amsterdam for distribution. Open field agriculture:
dominant farming culture in northwester Europe, collectively farmed fields by the whole community. Ownership
was divided over individual farmers. Nutrients were added from manure combined with organic waste from
heaths. The middle ages saw a shift form a 2course to a 3course crop rotation (fallow – summer grain – winter
grain). The fallow fields were ploughed intensively to reduce weeds, stimulate aeration of top soil and support
mineralisation. Medieval diets were mostly based on grains, for bread and beer production. Harvest margins
were very narrow – a quarter of the grains had to be saved to plant next year. Technological advances in
agriculture 800-1300:
The heavy plough,
Three course rotation system
Harnesses for horses (oxen where replaced)
Horse shoe
Sickles where replaced by scythes increased production
Increased production was followed by an increase in population growth hindering agricultural progress. After
1750 the industrial revolution took place allowing an exceed in population growth. Great Britain saw a shift from
22% to 9% of the population working in the agricultural sector from 1850 to 1900. The industrial revolution
began in great Britain. Other countries followed this trend, although in lesser numbers. This number only
represents industrialization, not modernization. The industrial revolution saw need for an agrarian revolution to
feed the growing population.
Lecture 2 – European farming in global perspecti ve
The neolithic revolution 10.000 years ago saw a shift from hunter gathering to plant cultivation and animal
breeding. Selection and domestication were driving forces for this ‘revolution’. Some countries were early in this
trend: Middle east, China and New Guinea (10.00-5.000 BP). Egypt/Western Europe and the Americas where
late (4.000 bp). The Fertile Crescent saw cultivation of wheat rye spelt and legumes, sheep goats, pigs and later
on camels. China saw production of rice, millet soybeans, pigs and chickens. Europe’s contribution to the
development of agriculture came very late – they adopted and improved technology form elsewhere. In the year
1500 Europe still had low production compared to other countries. China, Japan, India, SE Asia, Egypt saw
intensive irrigated agriculture. Africa, America, Australia saw slash and burn agriculture. Rice, Maize, Potatoes
and Wheat where mostly cultivated during this time. Europe required a lot of land per capita compared to other
parts of the world. In the middle ages plants where transferred from Asia/Africa (sugar cane, hard wheat, several
fruits and vegetables) only the Mediterranean area could cultivate these croups because of the climate. In
1492 the Americas where introduced to America Columbian exchange. Trade between the Old world and the
New World took place. The introduction of the potato was extremely positive to North-western Europe (end of
the 16th century). The 18th century saw serious harvest failures people realised that potato roots can be eaten
and where cultivated from this moment. Potato advantages:
High energy/ carbohydrate content
High vitamin C content
Simple tools to cultivate
Weed fighter
The potato became a staple food for the poor population. Disadvantages: the potatoes where difficult to store and
where vulnerable to diseases 1845 saw the Irish potato famine. Western Europe was hit as well. 1890 Irish
population decreased from 8 to 4 million. Large immigration to America. Current Irish population still hasn’t
exceeded its population in 1845. After 1600 Europe stared to catch up to the rest of the world due to the
Colombian exchange.
, Lecture 3 - The secular trend and climate
Three layers of history (Ferdinand Braudel): The rhythm of daily life before 1800. Enormous fluctuations in
annual price of grain and the cost of living for ordinary workers. Harvest failures led to famines. The low
productivity level/ no opportunities for storage. The majority of income was spend on food. Secular trend in
grain prices in European countries: Increasing grain prices are alternated by periods of decreasing grain price.
Correlates with population dynamics.
Malthus: an essay on the principle of population (1798), food prices are low population increases
production cannot keep up with population period of scarcity and war. Population rises faster than
food production, prices of products rise relative to wages. Positive checks (famine, war, disease)/
Preventative checks (delayed/no marriage, use of contraceptives).
Boserup: The conditions of agricultural growth (1965) population growth is correlated with a desire to
find ways to produce more food. Argument: population growth drives food supply.
Period 1000-1350: Economic and demographic growth caused by a medieval warm period longer growing
season. Emergence and spread of new towns. Emergence and spread of interregional trade (Hanze). Innovation
in agriculture caused population grown. Population in the Netherlands in the year 800, west was uninhabited and
little trade took place with the rest of Europe. The 14th century was a century of famines. In France 1315-17:
consecutive harvest failures heavy rains and spread of disease. 1347-53 spread of the Black Death. Population
heavily decreases (1/3rd to half of the population died) proof of Malthus thesis? Population growth stagnated
until 1500. Could be result of a little ice age that started in 1300 (shorter growing season, wet summers and
colder winters). Plague epidemics kept recurring.
Period 1500-1650 – renewed expansion. Renewed economic growth and urbanization (golden age for the
Netherlands increased inequality). Amsterdam grew from 15.000 (1525) to 200.000 (1650). Centre of
European trade and one of the largest European cities in the world. Urbanization in the Netherlands heavily
increased. Wind mills were used to pump dry producing polders.
Golden age was followed of a period of stagnation and decline (1650-1750). The climate cools down again
heavily economic and population decline. Coldest period of the little ice age – not such a heavy crisis as
1350. Most European population stabilize and do not actually decrease. Only Germany saw a decrease in
population due to the 40 year war between Catholics and protestants (military/ pollical crisis not interpreted
as a Malthusian crisis).
From 1750 onwards: England becomes the fastest growing economy in Europe England was locked of from
the European continent around 1800, napoleon occupied Europe and cut off England from trade. 1750: renewed
and sustained population growth, increasing demand for agricultural products, rise of industry and urbanization,
income from the colonies. The secular trend ‘’dissolves’’ after 1750. Can be related to the fact that Europe
becomes an industrial society form 1800 onward. Less people are working in agriculture, less farmers are able to
produce more food.
The economy of 1800 still saw price ‘’waves’’. 1818: increased demand, increased prices. 1816 saw global crop
failures due to volcanic eruption. 1818-1835 – ‘’post-Napoleonic depression, Europeans markets were flooded
by grain from Ukraine/Russia grain prices collapsed.
1835-1878, Boom period: Age of high farming, free trade regimes, transport revolution (steam locomotives). The
Dutch agriculture starts to orient towards markets abroad.
1878-1895: The great agricultural depression: European markets were flooded by grain from the New World
(USA/Canada) as a result of better steam ships. Europe saw harvest failures in 1878 and 1879 – with the cheap
American grain the grain prices did not go up. Trade with the USA allowed for a compensation mechanism.
Dutch market starts focussing on animal production.
Lecture 4 – Geography environment and insti tuti ons
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