Thanks to capitalism and technological progress, England and the United States were the first countries to escape from the Malthusian trap around 1820. They were the first two countries to be able to increase both the average standard of living and population at the same time.
Yes, the world population was about the same from 1000 BC to 1700. The rate of innovation was roughly matched to the rate of soil depletion.
It was fossil fuels that unlocked the energy boost that liberated humanity.
“Thanks to capitalism and technological progress, England and the United States were the first countries to escape from the Malthusian trap around 1820. They were the first two countries to be able to increase both the average standard of living and population at the same time”.
British troops were impressed with the standard of living in the Colonies prior to, and during, the War of Independence. It was higher than the British standard of living.