Pre-Industrial Society Essay Example

humans, were included in the category of those contributing to the nation's wealth. This placed both the upper and working classes on equal footing in terms of usefulness - the former bringing their talents and political influence while the latter providing labor. The annual incomes of both the noble and common individuals left me amazed.

The typical income for a lord was approximately ? 35-70 per year per person, whereas an average farmer would be content with ? 8 per person. Per person, lords spent between ? 32 and 60, while farmers' expenses did not surpass ? 8. To give some context, one-third of a pound could lead a man to bankruptcy. Cheese was considered exotic for a farmer in 1795 (according to David Davies), while the construction of the Royal Exchange in London cost citizens a staggering 80,000 pounds (as reported by D.Defoe in London, 1727). It is remarkable to consider the discipline and accuracy of taxpayers who contributed to this project even amidst poverty, causing some children to go barefoot.

In rural England during the time period discussed, the social census brought about a diverse range of pictures. Arthur Young emphasized in 1771 the importance of management principles in agriculture, stating that Great farms were crucial to Norfolk culture. If these farms are divided into tenures of one hundred pounds per year, nothing but beggars and weeds would be found in the entire country. Rich landowners were occupied with selective breeding programs for cattle and soil quality improvement. However, there were also reports of young children starting to work at just four years of age. Daniel Defoe wrote about rural industry in

1724 and claimed that being employed was essential for good health. Unfortunately, he neglected to mention that for children, good health should involve learning and games, rather than manual labour.

Despite Pehr Kalm (1748) and other foreign visitors attempting to highlight England's patriarchal society before the Industrial Revolution, the nation's economy was not hindered. Defoe provided insight into the 18th century clothing trade district, where everyone worked diligently to ensure continuous production. Consequently, the economic focus shifted from agriculture to manufacturing during this era.