So looking at population trends across the World from one glance it is obvious that the advances brought by the Industrial Revolution was what made our population skyrocket and that pre-industrial populations either remained static or slightly growing.
But from seeing some population estimates in Wikipedia (not reliable, i know) and in internet forums it seems like cities like London had a population of 50,000 in 1400, then rising to 300,000 in 1600. Or Ming China having a population of ~60 million in the 15th century while rising to 100 million in about the end of the 16th century. Japan also having around 8 million in 15th century while jumping to 30 million at the start of the 18th century.
What caused these population spurts/increasing urbanization to occur in the Old World in the Early Modern era? Population just seemed flat during all of the Medieval era.
But from seeing some population estimates in Wikipedia (not reliable, i know) and in internet forums it seems like cities like London had a population of 50,000 in 1400, then rising to 300,000 in 1600. Or Ming China having a population of ~60 million in the 15th century while rising to 100 million in about the end of the 16th century. Japan also having around 8 million in 15th century while jumping to 30 million at the start of the 18th century.
What caused these population spurts/increasing urbanization to occur in the Old World in the Early Modern era? Population just seemed flat during all of the Medieval era.