What Are The Impact Of Rapid Population Growth In The 20th Century

Population growth is a common element seen in the history of the 19th and 20th centuries. Increasing population is followed by the shrinkage of resources and space that later impact the political and social history of the region. Political impact is characterized by the introduction of new policies and regulation, while social impact ranges anywhere between changes in class structure and values. 19th century Europe with Britain at its focus is one of the three regions that exemplify this idea. The two other regions that also experience the effects of rapid population growth are the United States and India in the 20th century. The population of Europe nearly doubled between 1850 and 1914, exerting tremendous amount of pressure on rural land,

Americans transform the environment in the most drastic scale by deforestation for the cultivation of houses (@). Similar to Europe, there were many complaints about unsanitary living conditions and strenuous working conditions that need to be addressed by the government. Air pollution from burning coal as well as the consumption of water contaminated by sewage led to various health issues. Preindustrial diseases such as smallpox, dysentery, tuberculosis and bone disease caused by lack of sunlight struck the general population resulting in the reduction in life expectancy (@). Many of the social implications seen in Europe are also present in industrial America. The poorest of neighborhoods still remain crowded followed by the continuation of a slum life. This ultimately demonstrates that the fine line between the owners and the workers exist even across geographic borders. Due to the spurt in population growth and increasing grievances, laws and regulations that are a part of a political reform are introduced to combat these urban problems (@). Despite the effort, population growth always seems to outgrow government-initiated house construction and municipal services. Economically, America benefited mainly from the cultivation of cotton and wheat, but with soil depletion as an environmental cost. Overall, there is little to no change in the social

This growth produces a shortage in the number of jobs available in the slowly growing industries. Britain economically bound India by discouraging the cotton and steel industry to prevent social upheavals in response to the Industrial Revolution in Europe and to limit competition against the British industry. British colonization of India enables the development of railroads, cotton and steel mills, and harbors (@). Economic developments hardly benefit the average Indian population because they have to pay taxes to landowners, village moneylenders, and the government (@). In the end, there is nothing left to improve their land or the standard of living. This rigid social and economic structure is further fueled by population growth that is comprised mainly of the lower class because the government always passes regulations in favor of property owners. One political impact is the creation of an educated middle class that will play a crucial role later in India’s independence movement. After learning English as well as the idea of rights and freedom, the educated middle class with yearning for freedom from British rule forms the Indian National Congress (@). Members would voice their opinion to the government calling for access to higher administrative positions, but their request was eventually shot down. As a result of ongoing pressure from the increase in population growth and various