Describe the fact that makes the period after the 1780s different from any earlier period in English history. What were the causes of this difference?

(a) The fact that makes the period after the 1780s different from any earlier period in English history was that in the earlier times, rapid population growth was often followed by a period of food shortages. Foodgrain production in the past had not expanded as rapidly as the population. On the other hand, after the 1780s in England, the grain production grew as quickly as population. For example, even after the rapid increase of population, in 1868, England produced about 80 per cent of the food it consumed. Only about 20 per cent was imported.
(b) The causes of the above difference were as given below:
(i) After the 1780’s the increase in food grain production was made possible not by any radical innovations in agricultural technology. It was brought about by bringing new lands under cultivation.
(ii) Landlords sliced up pasturelands.
(iii) Landlords carved up open fields.
(iv) Landlords cut up forest commons.
(v) Landlords took over marshes and turned larger and larger areas into agricultural fields.
(vi) Enclosures were seen as necessity to make long term investments on land. The land- lords planned crops rotation to improve their soil.
(vii) It also allowed the rich land owners to expand the land under their control and produce more for the market.