17 Century Population Growth

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  • Created by: Tori
  • Created on: 20-04-20 13:01
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  • Population Growth
    • Reasons for the increase
      • Country had appreciated domestic peace since 1485 (end of the war of the roses).
        • In the 16th century the population rose from 3 million to 4 million.
          • The trend continued during the first half od the 17th century.
        • Domestic peace means less uncertainty, thus people have more children and less die in wars.
      • Changes in agriculture.
        • eg. the enclosure of land and the growth of areas under cultivation.
        • Ensured there was a stable food supply for the growing population.
      • Protestant migration.
        • In the 17th century many European Protestants came to England to escape persecution.
      • Population growth slowed
        • In the second half of the 17th century, population growth slowed and even declined.
        • Reasons:
          • Large death count of the civil wars.
          • Great Plague of 1665.
            • Caused up to 100,000 deaths in London alone.
          • Many non-conformists migrated to America, where they could worship freely.
          • Marriage was often delayed until people were in their late twenties.
            • Reduced the average size of families (can't have as many kids later on).
    • The numbers:
      • 1625; 4.1 million
        • 1656; 5.3 million
          • 1688; 4.8 million
    • Impact of population growth; Urban developement and Rural change
      • In 1625 most people lived in the countryside.
        • Majority of the population was concentrated in the south-east of England.
        • This changed during the 17th century.
          • Young people moved from their southern parishes, where opportunities were small, to more open parishes of the midlands and the north.
            • The enclosure of agricultural land that had begun under the Tudors continued under the Stuarts.
              • Fewer people were needed to work the land.
                • Led to deopoulation of many areas in the south as people left to find work.
            • Overpopulation and a limited job market in the countryside and smaller towns made London popular for rural migrants.
          • In 1625, 5.8% of the population lived in towns
            • Urban and industrial developement meant that by the end of the century this figure had risen to 13.3%.
              • 11.5% of this lived in London.
      • London
        • Dominated England in population and importance.
          • By 1625 the population of London had risen above 200,000.
            • By 1660 it had doubled again.
            • By 1688 it was 500,000 people.
              • Became Western Europe's largest city.
          • It was significant for many aspects of national life:
            • Government
            • Finance
            • Industry
            • Culture
        • London grew due to its geographical position for trade (Thames river important for trade).
        • It's growths was partly due to people moving there from the rest of England and Europe.
          • London was larger than the next 50 biggest English towns combined.
            • The next biggest towns were:
              • Norwhich, an important centre of the cloth trade.
              • Bristol, an important port.
              • Newcastle, centre of the growing coal industry.

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