Sunday, September 16, 2007

Mr. Hyer #'s 7&8



7.In general terms, how did farming change across Europe between the Middle Ages and the beginning of World War II. Cite two specific examples.

In general, farming changed from a way of life to a thing of the past. "By 191, predominantly an industrial continent, [Europe] depended on other continents, notably America and Australasia, for many of its foodstuffs, although its own European farmers produced far more than they had done a century earlier." "...farmed by peasants or serfs who,....possessed their own plots of land which they could work for themselves and their families."

8.What were the two alternatives European governments faced to deal with the foreign agricultural products being imported into their countries? What were the consequences of both alternatives for Britain, France and Germany?
European governments had to face the problem of either allowing the their foreign competitors to over-run their own agriculture, or protect it by raising taxes on imported goods. Reactions? France and Germany remained well balanced with their agriculture, however Britain was ruined from 1875 to 1900 (one year before I was born, YAY ME!).