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Title: Censorship, Family Planning, and the Historical Demographic Transition

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2018

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Abstract: The historical demographic transition is one of the most important events in history. This study provides new evidence highlighting the key role that censorship and the release of family planning information played in this event. We begin by providing evidence linking the sharp decline in fertility in Britain starting in 1877 to the public release of family planning information that resulted from the famous Bradlaugh-Besant trial. We then provide evidence that the trial had nearly simultaneous effects among British-origin populations abroad, particularly in Canada. These findings highlight the importance of information and changing social norms played in the historical demographic transition, as well as the role that cultural and linguistic ties played in transmitting this information around the world.

Url: https://bbbeach.people.wm.edu/Papers/beach_hanlon_demographic_transition.pdf

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Authors: Beach, Brian; Hanlon, W. Walker

Publisher: College of William & Mary

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Migration and Immigration, Other

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