Sure, let's go through this step-by-step.
### Part A
#### 1. Population Decline in Europe from 1300 to 1400 during the Black Death:
1. Population in 1300: 70 million
2. Population in 1400: 52 million
To find the percentage decline:
- Step 1: Calculate the difference in population between 1300 and 1400.
[tex]\[
\text{Difference} = 70 - 52 = 18\, \text{million}
\][/tex]
- Step 2: Divide the difference by the original population (in 1300).
[tex]\[
\text{Fractional Decline} = \frac{18}{70}
\][/tex]
- Step 3: Convert the fractional decline to a percentage by multiplying by 100.
[tex]\[
\text{Percentage Decline} = \left(\frac{18}{70}\right) \times 100 \approx 25.71\%
\][/tex]
So, the population in Europe declined by approximately 25.71% from 1300 to 1400.
#### 2. Population Decline in the Americas from 1500 to 1600 during the Columbian Exchange:
1. Population in 1500: 42 million
2. Population in 1600: 13 million
To find the percentage decline:
- Step 1: Calculate the difference in population between 1500 and 1600.
[tex]\[
\text{Difference} = 42 - 13 = 29\, \text{million}
\][/tex]
- Step 2: Divide the difference by the original population (in 1500).
[tex]\[
\text{Fractional Decline} = \frac{29}{42}
\][/tex]
- Step 3: Convert the fractional decline to a percentage by multiplying by 100.
[tex]\[
\text{Percentage Decline} = \left(\frac{29}{42}\right) \times 100 \approx 69.05\%
\][/tex]
So, the population in the Americas declined by approximately 69.05% from 1500 to 1600.
#### 3. Comparison and Inferences:
- Greater Population Decline: The Americas experienced a much greater population decline (69.05%) compared to Europe (25.71%) during these respective periods.
- Inference about Disease Spread:
- The significant decline in the population of the Americas suggests that the spread of disease, particularly those introduced through global trade and contact, had a devastating impact. This could be attributed to the fact that indigenous populations in the Americas had no prior exposure to these new diseases and thus lacked immunity.
- In Europe, the Black Death was also catastrophic, but the resulting decline, while severe, was comparatively less than what was observed in the Americas during the Columbian Exchange. This indicates that while Europe did suffer greatly, it perhaps had some existing immunities or societal mechanisms that allowed it to recover more efficiently over the long term.
These figures illustrate the profound impact of disease transmission due to global trade and contact in different regions of the world.
