When we think of the modern world, we associate it with cities and with industrialization. But for most of the period discussed, leading up the 18th century, 89-90% of the population lived in the countryside off the land. 1) What pressures did this put on the environment? 2) Life expectancies were short and disease and natural disasters were common. How exceptional was the "Black Death"? Why did it happen and what was its impact? 3) From the reading of the first textbook chapter, did it seem to you that the world was barreling toward progress? And finally, 5) having read the notes on capitalism, I am curious as to how you understand my explanaiton, and whether anything about it surprised you. Put numbers on your answers so I can be sure that you read the questions carefully.

Question

When we think of the modern world, we associate it with cities and with industrialization. But for most of the period discussed, leading up the 18th century, 89-90% of the population lived in the countryside off the land. 1) What pressures did this put on the environment? 2) Life expectancies were short and disease and natural disasters were common. How exceptional was the "Black Death"? Why did it happen and what was its impact? 3) From the reading of the first textbook chapter, did it seem to you that the world was barreling toward progress? And finally, 5) having read the notes on capitalism, I am curious as to how you understand my explanaiton, and whether anything about it surprised you. Put numbers on your answers so I can be sure that you read the questions carefully.

Answer 1

1) The pressure of having 89-90% of the population living in the countryside off the land put a significant strain on the environment in terms of deforestation, soil erosion, and depletion of natural resources. Over-farming and overgrazing also led to land degradation and loss of biodiversity.

2) The "Black Death" was a devastating pandemic that swept through Europe in the 14th century, killing an estimated 25-50% of the population. While the mortality rate was exceptional, disease outbreaks were not uncommon during this time due to poor hygiene practices, crowded living conditions, and limited medical knowledge. The impact of the Black Death was profound, leading to economic disruptions, social upheaval, and shifts in power dynamics.

3) From the reading of the first textbook chapter, it did not seem like the world was necessarily barreling toward progress. The period discussed was marked by challenges such as disease, natural disasters, and social inequalities, which hindered overall development and advancement.

4) Regarding capitalism, it seems that the explanation provided highlighted the economic system's focus on private ownership, competition, and profit maximization. One aspect that may have surprised me was the emphasis on capitalism as a driving force behind societal changes and industrialization, shaping the modern world in significant ways.