Agriculture

Definition

Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock for human use. It has played a vital role in the development of societies by enabling people to produce food surpluses, which support larger populations and lead to the growth of cities and complex social structures. The evolution of agricultural practices influenced the migration patterns of early peoples and shaped urban and rural life in colonial settings.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Mexica people initially migrated to the Valley of Mexico in search of better agricultural opportunities, leading to the establishment of their capital, Tenochtitlán, on an island in Lake Texcoco.
2. Agricultural innovations like chinampas, or floating gardens, allowed the Mexica to maximize crop yields in limited space and support a dense urban population.
3. In New Spain, agriculture became central to the economy, with crops like wheat, sugarcane, and cacao being introduced by Spanish colonizers alongside native crops such as maize and beans.
4. The encomienda system exploited indigenous labor for agricultural production, dramatically transforming land use and social structures in rural New Spain.
5. Urban life in New Spain saw a shift towards market-oriented agriculture, leading to increased trade and the establishment of local markets where rural products were sold.

Review Questions

• How did agricultural practices influence the migration patterns of the Mexica people?
  • Agricultural practices played a critical role in shaping the migration patterns of the Mexica people as they sought fertile lands for cultivation. Their journey led them to the Valley of Mexico where they developed advanced farming techniques like chinampas. This innovation not only supported their population growth but also facilitated their eventual establishment of Tenochtitlán as a powerful urban center that thrived on agricultural abundance.
• Discuss the economic impact of agriculture on urban and rural life in New Spain.
  • Agriculture had a profound economic impact on both urban and rural life in New Spain. In rural areas, indigenous labor was often exploited through systems like encomienda to maximize agricultural output for colonial interests. Meanwhile, urban centers experienced growth through increased trade driven by market-oriented agriculture. This created a dynamic relationship where rural products fueled urban markets, significantly shaping the social and economic landscape of New Spain.
• Evaluate how agricultural advancements during Mexica civilization laid the foundation for societal complexity that influenced later colonial practices in New Spain.
  • Agricultural advancements during Mexica civilization laid a crucial foundation for societal complexity by enabling large populations to thrive through increased food production. Techniques like chinampas not only supported urban centers but also created a surplus that facilitated trade and social stratification. These established practices influenced Spanish colonial methods as they adapted Mesoamerican agricultural techniques within their own systems. The resulting integration of these methods into colonial agriculture reshaped land use, labor dynamics, and economic structures throughout New Spain.

Related terms

Milpa System: A traditional Mesoamerican farming method involving the rotation of various crops, primarily maize, beans, and squash, to maintain soil fertility and sustain agricultural productivity.

Terracing:

An agricultural technique that involves creating flat areas on sloped terrain to reduce soil erosion and manage water runoff, commonly used in mountainous regions.

Subsistence Farming: A type of agriculture where farmers grow food primarily for their own consumption rather than for sale or trade, often seen in rural communities.