13.1 History Of The Human Population Objectives: Describe the major events that have affected the rate of human population growth throughout history. By: John and Tony 12 slides – 6 flashcards

Introduction In 1650, only 500 million people inhabited Earth. Today there are over 5.5 billion people living on Earth. The number of people increases by 80 million every year Scientists predict 8 billion people by 2017 and perhaps 12 billion by 2100.

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Increase in Growth Rate Scientists estimate that the first modern humans evolved on Earth about one-half million years ago. About 20,000 years ago, some people established permanent settlements. What is AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION? – When hunters and gathers begin to develop farming techniques, and learn to masticate animals.

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Agriculture A second period of major population growth occurred around 8000B.C. Farming provided an increased food supply, which led to an increase in size of the human population The human population grew to nearly 5 million, food availability accounted for much of the growth

Industry The third major period of population growth has occurred during the past 300 years Technological advancements have improved food production and distribution Reduced the length of the work day and provided people with safer work environments

Health Care The germ theory of the disease occurred at about the same time as the industrial revolution What is the GERM THEORY? Disease identified in bacteria and other microorganisms as the agents responsible for many diseases The biomedical revolution of the 20th century has resulted in an increase in population growth

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Declines in Growth Rate The decline in population growth started in the mid 14th century The decline resulted in the Black Death which struck some of Europe and Asia So devastating was the Black Death that within several years it claimed 25 percent of the population of Central Europe and Asia

Famine In the 1840s the Irish Potato Famine resulted in the death of more than one million people At this time the potato was the main staple in Ireland When the disease called potato blight destroyed the crop and caused severe starvation

War Wars have caused a large decrease in the human population in a short time Many lives have been lost in tribal and civil wars throughout Africa, South America, India, China, and the United States World War I claimed 10 million lives where World War II claimed 17 million lives