Thomas Malthus (Lauren Chapski)

Thomas Malthus (Lauren Chapski)

      Four million people. Four million mouths to feed, four million people who need jobs, four million people who need a home. Four million is the number of people who flocked into Britain from 1700 to 1800. Due to the industrial revolution, my home was being flooded with more and more people each day. The agricultural revolution, which began the industrial revolution, produced a surplus of food, initiating the population increase. At first it was nice to have some new neighbors, and the extra food was great, but the only problem is that the people will not stop coming. We only had so much extra food, and now that we are out, people are left starving in the streets. Everyday I see a new horror, whether it be the crowded slums, the starving families, children begging for money, and even sick peasants dying in the streets; just waiting to be put out of their misery. In 1798 I published An Essay on the Principle of Population, It goes into further detail about my beliefs, like how population growth will outpace food supply. The more people there are, the more people that need to be fed. Even those who are willing to work will find no job because they are already full. At this point coming to Britain is practically a death sentence, death by famine that is. The Industrial Revolution has certainly not positively impacted all the citizens because everyday I see more and more people gathered in the streets, basking in their own misery. I would advise that anyone who seeks happiness and hopes to live a long life go elsewhere because it will not be found here.