Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam 2025 - Free AP History Practice Questions and Study Guide

The emphasis on depopulation associated with enclosing is particularly significant in the context of demographic shifts during the agrarian transformations in Europe, especially in England, from the late medieval period into the early modern era. Enclosure, the practice of consolidating small landholdings into larger farms, was often justified as a means to increase agricultural efficiency and productivity through more extensive use of land.

As landowners enclosed their fields, many small-scale farmers and peasants, who had traditionally relied on common lands for their livelihood, were displaced. This led to a significant demographic shift as populations in rural areas dwindled due to forced migration toward urban centers in search of work. The disruption of established agricultural practices not only contributed to a loss of population in these rural areas but also transformed traditional farming communities.

The impact of enclosures thus aligns perfectly with the notion of depopulation—where agricultural practices shifted away from communal to private land ownership, resulting in economic dislocation for many individuals. This context highlights how demographic changes were intrinsically linked to the evolution of agricultural practices, particularly through the mechanism of enclosure. The other choices focus on aspects such as increased productivity, labor practices, or cooperative efforts, which, while relevant to agricultural changes, do not directly address the specific demographic