Malthus versus Marx on Overpopulation

Question: Is overpopulation or capitalism the problem for cities?

1. Review the documents at the following website:

http://www.mury.k12.ut.us/MHS/apus/dbq/2000/group10.htm

2. Use the chart provided on Handout 2 to gather evidence about whether capitalism or overpopulation were to blame for the issues of American cities at the turn of the 20th century.

3. Discuss in class whether Marx's Theory or Malthus's Theory was more appropriate in explaining American cities in the late 19th and early 20th century.