What impact did the Enclosure Act have on farmers in Britain?

The Enclosure Act had a significant impact on farmers in Britain, primarily leading to the eviction of many small-scale farmers from their land. Before the Enclosure Acts, common lands were accessible to the local population, allowing small farmers to graze livestock and grow crops. However, the Enclosure Acts consolidated these common lands into larger, privately owned farms. As a result, many small farmers found themselves without land to cultivate, leading to widespread displacement.

This shift not only impacted individual livelihoods but also contributed to broader social changes. The displaced farmers and rural workers often migrated to urban areas in search of work, fueling the growth of cities and the industrial workforce needed for emerging factories. The act was part of the movement towards more commercialized agriculture, allowing landowners to implement more efficient farming techniques on their larger, enclosed estates, but it significantly undermined the rural communities dependent on common resources.

In contrast, the other options inaccurately describe the outcome of the Enclosure Act. The act did not lead to increased land holdings for small farmers, nor did it encourage urban farming or cooperative farming in any meaningful way for those displaced by the enclosure process. Instead, it facilitated a more individualized and privatized agricultural system that often marginalized smallholders.