Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What societal change does the agricultural improvement in eighteenth-century England primarily reflect?

1. Enhancement of rural living standards

2. Increased wealth concentration among landowners

3. Improvement of peasant rights and living conditions

4. Stagnation of agricultural productivity

The correct answer is: Increased wealth concentration among landowners

The agricultural improvements in eighteenth-century England primarily reflect an increased wealth concentration among landowners. This period, often associated with the Agricultural Revolution, saw significant advancements in farming techniques, crop rotation, and selective breeding of livestock. Landowners who adopted these innovations were able to maximize their outputs and, consequently, their profits. These enhancements did not equally benefit all members of society; while some small farmers and agricultural laborers may have seen marginal improvements, the primary beneficiaries were the wealthy landowners who amassed greater wealth and power. The enclosure movement, which accompanied many agricultural advancements, led to the consolidation of smaller plots of land into larger estates, further enriching the aristocracy and displacing many rural laborers. This change resulted in the creation of a more pronounced class divide, as the wealth generated from improved agricultural practices became increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few landowners, rather than being distributed across the broader rural population.