How did the discovery of iron lead to an increase in world population?

Question

This is a Geography homework question for my nephew. I need answers by 12 Jan 2007 please.

Answer 1

There was a long period between the discovery of iron and the use of it. The iron age (which we are still in) resulted in better tools and weapons. In particular, the heavy plow allowed agriculture to flourish in northern Europe which has heavy soil compared to the Mediterranean countries with soils more easily worked.

That allowed northern populations to increase.

Answer 2

I would guess by allowing more food grown with iron plows. Iron plows are easier to use and wear out less than others so more food is grown relatively easier.

Also iron was valuable for trade which increases 'wealth' to both sides which would allow more people to afford food.

Discovery of IRON is basically discovery of smelting ore.

Actually I would have guessed iron made better weapons so more folks would be killed in battle. I'd like to read the Geography book your nephew has, sounds interesting. Post the final answer from the teacher please.

Answer 3

Nearly every increase in technology has had the effect of extending the lifespan. Stone tools represented an improvement in that when people could no longer chew food (due to dental decay or accidental loss) they did not have to starve to death. Every improvement in tools has improved upon that.

Metals were an important step in the process, in that they enabled us to make other tools, tools to make tools, and tools to make tools, to make tools. Could we have developed modern medicine without iron and steel? Could we have developed electrical motors without iron and steel ? (I’ll give you a clue: no.) All this led to an increase in longevity, and thus more people survived to make babies, and their babies lived longer, so that the population went up.

10 JAN 07. 2109 hrs, GMT.

Answer 4

more iron, more weapons. Less attach by beasts and other deadly animals --> more people surviving.

more iron, more jobs, more money --> higher living standards
--> lower death rates

Answer 5

Would like to know this too