At its beginning, the ruling powers in Great Britain embarked on one of the most sustained efforts to destroy community life ever undertaken.
From 1770 to 1830 some 3,280 enclosure bills were passed putting into private hands for private gain more than six million acres of commonly-held lands. By 1830 not a single country had more than three percent of its land open to public use. According to historian George Stuart:
“To the enclosure of the commons more than to any other cause, may be traced all the changes which have subsequently passed over the village. it was like knocking the keystone out of an arch.”
– Derek Wilson