The introduction of American crops—particularly maize and potatoes—to the Old World had profound demographic consequences. Unlike European grains, which were highly vulnerable to weather and soil conditions, the potato grew well in poor soils and yielded far more calories per acre. In northern and eastern Europe, the adoption of the potato helped alleviate chronic food shortages and fueled a significant population boom in the centuries following European contact. This demographic expansion, in turn, provided the labor force necessary for the subsequent rise of industrialization.
Based on the passage, which of the following was a major consequence of the Columbian Exchange on the Old World?
- AThe replacement of the Spanish encomienda system with European peasant labor in American colonies.
- BThe enrichment of Native American diets through the export of European root crops to the Americas.
- An increase in European population growth fueled by high-calorie American crops.Answer
- DThe creation of a single, homogeneous culture among Native American tribes due to shared farming methods.
Answer
An increase in European population growth fueled by high-calorie American crops.
The correct answer is correct because the introduction of highly nutritious and high-yielding American crops, such as potatoes and maize, to the Old World led to a demographic boom and population expansion in Europe.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The Columbian Exchange led to agricultural and demographic changes in the Old World, specifically population growth in Europe due to new calorie-dense food crops.
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