The abolition of the Corn Laws by the British government in the mid-nineteenth century had profound effects. These laws had restricted the import of cheaper corn, protecting local landowners. Their abolition meant that food could be imported into Britain more cheaply than it could be produced domestically. As a result, vast areas of land were left uncultivated, and thousands of agricultural workers lost their jobs and migrated to cities or overseas in search of work. This led to a restructuring of the British economy, making it more dependent on industrial production and food imports, and accelerated the process of urbanisation. It also spurred agricultural production in other parts of the world, like America and Australia, to meet British demand.