Discuss the reasons for the growth of cities between 1650 and 1800.

European populations suffered war, plague and famine in the first half of the 17th century. However, this pattern was reversed in the second half of the century and the population of cities grew, especially after 1700. Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for this growth: insufficient work in rural areas, which led to migration to cities, and improvements in production, which reduced the number of famines and thus stabilized populations. The decline in the number of significant plague epidemics also led to a growth in population and an increase in the size of cities. Economic activity also encouraged the movement of people to cities, for example London expanded because of overseas trade with the British Empire, especially with India. Many people migrated to the cities to take advantage of the new opportunities that were becoming available.