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Claims, Evidence, and Qualifications from 2-14

Posted by Zoe Ann Stoltz on February 14, 2002 at 11:13:41:

Professor Schwartz and I discussed the strengths/merits of the seventh paragraph on pg. 149 of F.Y. Besnard’s essay describing livestock found on farms. Besnard provided a specific list of farm animals, including sheep, cattle, pigs, and fowl, typically found on farms of 40 arpents (approx. 39-40 acres). Needing a reference, we went to Cavanaugh’s Chapter 1, pg. 15, the second paragraph. Cavanaugh stated that to be self-sufficient ownership of 30 to 65 acres was necessary and that “very few peasants owned such large plots of land.”
We determined that Besnard was not discussing the lower class farmers, but those who owned out-right enough ground to provide a living for themselves and their families in years that produced good harvests. According to Cavanaugh, who was writing about the harsher conditions of the 17th century, this population made up 10% of the total. With Besnard’s description taking place in the 18th century under better farming conditions, we can determine that the percentage of property owners was higher, perhaps between 10-15 percent. These numbers indicated that 90-85 percent of the rural population had less livestock/resources to depend on than the specifics provided by Besnard.
This “thesis” differed from the first couple discussed in class today. We began with a primary document, then looked to a secondary source to help clarify the information.
To clarify the units of land measure being used:
arpent =approx. 1 acre
hectare = approx. 2.5 acres.

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: Professor Schwartz and I discussed the strengths/merits of the seventh paragraph on pg. 149 of F.Y. Besnard’s essay describing livestock found on farms. Besnard provided a specific list of farm animals, including sheep, cattle, pigs, and fowl, typically found on farms of 40 arpents (approx. 39-40 acres). Needing a reference, we went to Cavanaugh’s Chapter 1, pg. 15, the second paragraph. Cavanaugh stated that to be self-sufficient ownership of 30 to 65 acres was necessary and that “very few peasants owned such large plots of land.” : We determined that Besnard was not discussing the lower class farmers, but those who owned out-right enough ground to provide a living for themselves and their families in years that produced good harvests. According to Cavanaugh, who was writing about the harsher conditions of the 17th century, this population made up 10% of the total. With Besnard’s description taking place in the 18th century under better farming conditions, we can determine that the percentage of property owners was higher, perhaps between 10-15 percent. These numbers indicated that 90-85 percent of the rural population had less livestock/resources to depend on than the specifics provided by Besnard. : This “thesis” differed from the first couple discussed in class today. We began with a primary document, then looked to a secondary source to help clarify the information. : To clarify the units of land measure being used: : arpent =approx. 1 acre : hectare = approx. 2.5 acres.

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