The Enclosure Acts

The Enclosure Acts were a series of laws passed in England between the 18th and 19th centuries that allowed landowners to enclose common land—areas where local people could farm or graze animals. This process privatized land, often transforming it into more productive farms. While it increased agricultural efficiency and profits for landowners, it displaced many small farmers and peasants, forcing them into cities. The Enclosure Acts played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution by shifting rural populations to urban areas, contributing to economic and social changes in England.