European Population Growth

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the reasons for European population growth in the eighteenth century with a focus on Britain and the industrial revolution. The paper shows how the development of new technology and the establishment of more efficient production methods and a higher standard of living, resulted in a decrease in the mortality rate. The paper also shows how the might, success and growth of the industrial economy was able to continue fueling the process of population growth throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, while new capitalist orientated theories put forward by Adam Smith advanced and galvanized the process.

From the Paper:

"Through the development of new technology and the establishment of more efficient production methods, a higher standard of living was achieved resulting in a decrease in the mortality rate. It is arguable that the increasing industrialization of Europe led to a new social order whereby younger marriage became an advantage and therefore birth rates were able to increase. Furthermore the new economy of an industrializing Europe lent itself to supporting the massive increases in population, while at the same time keeping living conditions stable in the short-term and improving them in long-term. Changes in economic, political and social theory developed by Adam Smith allowed firstly Britain and then other countries in Europe to embrace the Industrial Revolution and appreciate the economic value that an increased population could give a nation."

More papers on European Population Growth:

• Research Paper # 104640 : "The European Population Crisis pre-1348"
• Term Paper # 135353 : "Population Change in the Toronto Area"
• Term Paper # 143462 : "Agricultural Origins - European and African Agrarian Evolution"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: