Revolutions in Agriculture Answers

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Prior to the first agricultural revolution, humans were nomads who followed the migration patterns of large animals. Men hunted or fished in coastal climates, while women gathered plants and berries. The first domestication of seed crops likely occurred about 10,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, also known as the Fertile Crescent. Independent domestication occurred in Mesoamerica, China, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. The domestication of plants was an elaborate process that required careful planting, fertilizing, and harvesting, in addition to a regular water supply. Agriculture was more labor-intensive than hunting and gathering and required people to remain stationary for at least part of the year. For these reasons, initial domestication began in areas where game was easy to find, mild climates were common, and water sources were available. The domestication of animals happened at about the same time. Goats likely were the first animal domesticated in Mesopotamia, followed by pigs, sheep, and cattle. Animal domestication provided labor, as well as meat, hides, and milk. These resources provided stability and less mobility, which contributed to the departure from a nomadic lifestyle.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: The Industrial Revolution gave birth to several agricultural advancements. The railroad in particular was instrumental in decreasing transportation times and transportation costs. This led to the settlement of the American West. Ambitious farmers could now buy cheap land in the West and still be able to transport their goods to urban markets without the product becoming spoiled or damaged. The later invention of the refrigerated boxcar made long-distance transportation even more profitable. The introduction of the railroad had a significant impact on the agricultural settlement of the American West.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Mechanization reduced the number of workers needed on farms and increased the speed of harvesting. Tractors and combines were especially important. The railroad was instrumental in decreasing transportation times and transportation costs. The mechanized seed drill allowed for quick, efficient planting in rows. Steam-powered plowing engines developed in the 1850s, and internal combustion engines were applied successfully to tractors in the early 1900s.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: The word “green” in this context does not mean “environmentally friendly.” In fact, environmental repercussions were the primary objection to the much-needed advancements offered by the research that prompted the Green Revolution. Hybridization often is considered one of the most important causes of the dramatic increase in global agricultural production in recent decades, and the hybridization of crops has prevented untold numbers of famines across the globe. Proponents suggest that hybridized seeds and crops are more drought-resistant, require less water, produce higher yields, are pest- and fungus-resistant, and require less growth time. Opponents of hybridization suggest that crops utilize higher amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which seep into the water supply and soil, leading to contamination and illness. Opponents suggest that the process did little to alleviate poverty, as small farmers could no longer compete with large, often corporate farms who could afford the expensive seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides required. With small farmers pushed toward bankruptcy, a few large farms took over the majority of food production. Finally, hybridization frequently is viewed as the most significant shift in agricultural practices, from a focus on production for local consumption to production for sales and export. This shifted the focus outside of the local community and onto financial gain.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Colonialism dramatically changed farming. In the 1600s, large American plantations grew cash crops like tobacco, sugar, and, later, cotton. In the 1700s and 1800s, colonial powers in India and Africa tried to modernize their holdings. They invested in irrigation, provided loans, and built infrastructure. In return, they expected colonists to participate in the commercial development of the colony. They did this through taxation. Taxation forced farmers to dedicate more and more of their land to cash crops rather than to local consumption in order to raise the money. This often resulted in severe famines when not enough land was producing food. Between 1876 and 1878, a famine in India killed about eight million people when the local food production was depleted.