Two Factors that Affected the Stuart Economy of 1600-1660
The Stuart economy is always difficult to analyse. Unfortunately due
to incomplete records we only have a rough idea of the economic growth
that England underwent during this era. For example we do not have
fully accurate records that state the exact population size at the
time. We also therefore do not have accurate records on the economy
either but from parish records and events during this period it is
still possible to make informed conclusions on what the economy was
like, and the factors that stimulated it.
The first thing that is important to study when discussing the economy
is the population size. According to records found in parishes at the
time population was generally on the increase and rose from 4 to 5
million between 1600 and 1660. However although the population did
rise considerably it was certainly not a steady increase and went
through phases of decline as well as increase. Surprisingly, according
to information now available, some year’s burial rates were actually
higher than baptism rates, suggesting a population decline. However
due to the fact that these records are sometimes incomplete it is not
possible to give completely accurate figures about the changes in
population during this era.
Some historians argue that these changes in population growth point to
the fact that the Stuart economy was vastly agrarian. This theory is
widely accepted as being true, it successfully answers the reason for
very drastic changes in the population size in some areas as agrarian
economy can be easily dislocated by bad winters and poor harvests.
Also the records ...
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...e protection. Despite these measures the fleets
that travelled between the North-East and London still suffered
attacks during the wars England had with the Dutch. This is evident
when we look at the prices of coal and see that prices doubled during
this period suggesting heavy losses from attack.
In conclusion it is probably right to suggest that industry looked for
short-term solutions to meet the demands it faced, although no new
techniques or technological advances are evident, this period did see
the development of external trade, a key feature of the Stuart economy
with the development of overseas colonies. However it can be argued
that changes in agriculture and innovation were more significant,
however it is still somewhat important to understand that the Stuart
economy did not just rely on agriculture alone.