一九世紀第2四半期のアイルランド農業と農業労働者 : レンスター地方を中心に
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概要
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The traditional interpretation of the Irish history in the nineteenth century has been revised since 1960s. The 'Famine (1845-48) water-shed theory' has been challenged from many view-points. Among these challenges there are three major points, that is, (1) the change in agricultural production from tillage to pasture was in process before the 'Famine'. (2) Landlords began to change their estates management policy as early as 1820s. (3) Critical points for the stability of rural society did not lie in the relationship between landlord and farmer, but between farmer and labourer. All these points suggest that the process of the changes in Irish agriculture began before the 'Famine'. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the process of the changes by investigating the structure of the agriculture in Province of Leinster, where commercialized farming had well developed, and the condition of labourers. There existed three different groups of farmers in Leinster. Large farmers occupied the richest land under comparatively favorable and strong tenure. Owing to the favorable terms, they fed and fattened cattle in extensive manner. Middle class farmers engaged in mixed-farming. In terms of tenure and fertility of land the basis of this group was less favorable than that of large farmers. So, this group consentrated on the intensive (tillage) farming. There also existed large number of small farmers. Since they could not manage their living by farming only, they often worked as labourer. This group was regarded as the tipical farmer of Ireland. In Leinster, however, it was a subordinate group in terms of livestock economy. It was mixed-farming that 'post-war depression' hit hardest. As the price of cereals fell and the landlord's intention to consolidate farms became stronger, middle class farmers forced to decide whether they continue tillage or shift to pasture. Although the population pressure delayed the shift, there was no alternative for middle class farmers but to shift to pasture farming. As a result of this shift, agricultural labourers lost not only the opportunities of employment but also 'conacre' land, that is, additional land for potato cultivation. Since labourers depended on 'conacre' land ddeply, this change caused aggravation of the relationship between farmer and labourer. But social disturbances in pre-Famine Ireland was to be settled by the 'Famine', and then the live-stock economy extended over the island.
- 社会経済史学会の論文
- 1986-01-15