6.02 Population Change

• Introduction
• Learn
• Try It
• Task

Introduction

Concerns about population growth first emerged in the eighteenth century during the Industrial Revolution. Many demographic variables at that time contributed to rapid growth in the newly burgeoning urban areas of Europe.

Mechanization, which increased agricultural production and the introduction of a hearty new staple from South America, the potato, made enough food available for people to sustain themselves and support larger families.

Other technological and scientific advances helped to decrease infant mortality rates, while increasing fertility and extend ding life expectancy. As a result, the first real population boom in human history occurred. In this lesson, you're going to learn about the theories of population change and how it has affected our world.