In the early part of the Industrial Revolution in Europe, Thomas Malthus developed a theory that population increases exponentially, while food production can increase only arithmetically. Which of the following statements best explains how the Industrial Revolution reduced the threats forecast by Malthus?
A. The resulting rural-to-urban migration for jobs in factories led to a decline in birth rates and lowered population growth rates below what Malthus predicted.
B. Industrialization led to the manufacture of weaponry used in warfare, resulting in higher mortality during the conflicts of the 19th and 20th centuries that dramatically reduced populations.
C. The migration of people from rural areas to factory cities allowed farmers to expand their farm size and increase food production above Malthus’ predictions.
D. Industrialization enabled and promoted European imperialism, and Europeans migrated to overseas colonies, reducing the European population.
E. Mechanization expanded to agriculture, increasing the need for agricultural labor to run the equipment, leading rural families to have more children and increasing population growth.