The large increase in the human population after the Industrial Revolution can be attributed to several interrelated factors:
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Advancements in Agriculture: The Agricultural Revolution, which closely preceded the Industrial Revolution, introduced new farming techniques, crop rotation, and the use of machinery. These advancements increased food production, which reduced famine and improved nutrition.
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Medical Improvements: The period saw significant advancements in medicine and public health, such as the development of vaccinations, antiseptics, and a better understanding of sanitation. These improvements led to lower mortality rates, particularly infant mortality, leading to a higher life expectancy.
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Economic Growth: Industrialization spurred economic growth and job creation, leading to increased prosperity. Improved living standards allowed families to support more children.
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Urbanization: Many people moved from rural areas to urban centers for work in factories. Urban areas often provided better access to resources and healthcare, which contributed to population growth.
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Transportation and Trade: Improvements in transportation (such as railways and steamships) made it easier to trade goods and distribute food, further supporting population growth by ensuring that cities had access to necessary supplies.
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Declining Birth Rates: Although people started having more children during earlier phases of industrialization, as societies progressed, factors like improved family planning, women's education, and shifts in economic structures led to changes in family size preferences.
Together, these factors created conditions for population growth that were unprecedented at the time. The global population grew dramatically, from approximately 1 billion in the early 1800s to over 7 billion by the early 21st century.