The introduction of American crops like maize, sweet potatoes, and potatoes to the Old World had profound demographic consequences. Unlike European grains, which were highly vulnerable to weather fluctuations, these New World crops could thrive in soils previously considered marginal and yielded far more calories per acre. In Europe, the cultivation of the potato led to a significant increase in food security, fueling a population boom that provided the labor force for emerging urban centers. Similarly, in Asia, maize and sweet potatoes allowed for the cultivation of upland areas, supporting rapid population growth.
The developments described in the passage most directly contributed to which of the following?
- AThe creation of the Spanish encomienda system to regulate potato exports to the American colonies
- Significant population growth and improved nutrition in Europe and AsiaCevap
- CThe widespread adoption of European wheat cultivation by Indigenous societies, which stabilized their populations
- DThe development of a single, uniform agricultural method among all pre-contact Indigenous cultures
Cevap
Significant population growth and improved nutrition in Europe and Asia
The introduction of nutrient-dense New World crops, such as potatoes and maize, to the Old World led to improved diets, greater food security, and subsequent population growth in Europe and Asia.
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Anahtar Kavram
The Columbian Exchange