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 1st 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· 16th 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