THE LITTLE ICE AGE

History 141 By,

Kasandra Bartels

WHAT WAS THE LITTLE ICE AGE?

The little ice age was not the one we think of that took place thousands of years ago.

In fact, it began to take place just 7 centuries ago.

Many died from this sudden cooling.

It was known by both America and in Europe as the year without a summer.

WHAT WAS THE LITTLE ICE AGE? (CONT.) The little ice age was an

acute ice age that persisted from the 14th through the 19th century.

It changed the world in ways we would never think possible. For example: New York harbor froze solid which allowed people to walk from Manhattan to Staten Island.

A great change in climate like this was powerful enough to change history.

HOW DID IT EFFECT HISTORY? This little ice age

destroyed the Spanish armada.

Famine in Paris, drove the countries masses to anger and despair.

This anger is what led to the French revolution.

The ice age is even at fault for us Americans drinking 11 times more beer then wine.

WHAT CAUSED IT? Causes of this little ice age could

have been anything from unusual solar activities to some anthropogenic influences.

Through the little ice age period scientists believe that there was heightened volcanic activity. The ash from these volcanoes could have shrouded the sky and blocked off heat waves from the sun.

A great amount of scientific evidence shows us that right in the middle of the ice age there was a period of low solar activity called the Maunder Minimun.

Post-Black Death also could have been a cause sine reforestation was in progress and more Carbon Dioxide uptake from the atmosphere was allowed. This very possibly could have been a cooling factor.

HOW DID IT IMPACT AGRICULTURE? The little ice age

greatly affected crops and domestic animals all over.

And It was not just the cold itself that killed the vegetation. Fusarium nivale is a parasite that thrives under snow cover