Population of the Earth: 1450-1750

Growth, Decimation, and Relocation

From Experiencing World History (Ch. 14) by Adams et. al.

Introduction

 2 phenomena:   increase in Eurasian population expansion across world oceans  Population expansion in  Eurasia   China Russia  Old World diseases travel to New World  How do we know?

The Atlantic Crossings: Frontiers by Sea

 First population change came from commercial goals that spread diseases  Small group of investors sent small # of sailors  Gaunche of the Canary Islands  Virgin soil epidemics  African slave trade

The Columbian Exchange

 Columbus’ voyage - - > biological invasion  90% of native Americans died during 1 st century of contact with Europeans & Africans   No crowd diseases No animal diseases

The Columbian Exchange

 Columbian Exchange: concept historians use to explain what happened when Western civ. reached into the Atlantic and the Americas  Plants, animals, diseases, insects, pests, weeds, people     Transform society and ecosystem of the Americas 1493 influenza Brutal Spanish men 1518 Smallpox (brought by West African slaves; spread from Newfoundland to Brazil)

Plantation Complex

       1550 - plantations were in operation Many killed by  Disease   Violence Slavery Reduced fertility Increase in suicides, infanticides Overgrazing Demographic void by natives filled by Africans African diseases: yellow fever, deadly malaria

African Migration

 In 1600, the Caribbean had @ 80,000 persons compares to 6,000,000 in 1492  High African/European/Native American mortality  Mixed-parentage descendents became acclimated to the conditions (mestizos)  95 % of Africans go to the Caribbean & South America; 5% go to North America

Other Population Retreats

 Sub-Saharan Africa - - > new crops increased population; slave trade decreased population (slave ships, warfare) = no population growth  Australia/Pacific Oceania - - > late 1700s; decimated by disease  Asians exported as indentured servants

Population Revolutions: Impacts on China

 China       Population gains - - > inadequate food supply 16 th C. epidemics Ming unity and peace - - > population increase New American foods (maize, peanut, sweet potato) E. 1600s 1/3 of population lost   Climate change Political disintegration 1700 population triples      Early marriage Reduction in death rates Climate shifts Improved hygiene Use of herbal drugs

Population Revolutions: Impacts on Europe

        Population stability in 1650s Unlike China  Family system – late marriages  Resisted introduction on American foods 1475-1620 - - > 50% population gain Urbanization Agricultural Revolution - - > more livestock feed; increased soil fertility; cultivation Increased need to agriculture labor Introduction of corn & potatoes Lower infant death rate

Asia

   India:    cooling trend - - > reduced participation Diseases Agriculture and trade Southeast Asia  Comparatively low growth b/c of fertility   Women restricted third children Warfare Japan   Cooling trend Decreased warfare