Population Dynamics, Historical Demography, and Census Methods

What does the shape of a population pyramid tell you?

The age and sex structure of a population, showing growth trends, birth/death rates, and social conditions.

Was the agricultural revolution the cause or consequence of population growth?

Opinion-based: Some argue it caused growth by increasing food supply; others say population pressure drove agricultural innovation.

How did the introduction of agriculture affect health and well-being?

Opinion-based: It improved food security but led to disease spread, lower diet diversity, and social inequality.

What was the estimated population of the Americas before Columbus?

Estimates range from 40-100 million (see Week 4 lecture, slide 65).

What is a "virgin soil epidemic"?

An epidemic in a population with no prior exposure or immunity to the disease.

What is IPUMS?

The Integrated Public Use Microdata Series, a database of U.S. census and survey data for research.

In Malthusian theory, what is the difference between a positive and a preventive check?

Positive checks increase death rates (famine, disease); preventive checks lower birth rates (moral restraint, delayed marriage).

What is the difference between Malthusian and Boserupian interpretations?

Malthus: population growth causes resource strain; Boserup: growth spurs technological innovation.

How have interpretations of the causes of the Black Death changed over the past 20 years?

New evidence suggests multiple plague strains, earlier origins, and a stronger role for human-to-human transmission.

What are the stages of the demographic transition?

1. High birth/death rates; 2. Falling death rates; 3. Falling birth rates; 4. Low birth/death rates; 5. Possible population decline.

Which founding father designed the first U.S. census?

Thomas Jefferson.

Who was Herman Hollerith and what did he do?

He invented a punch-card tabulating machine used for the 1890 U.S. Census, a forerunner of modern computers.