The Little Ice AgeBrandy Maddox

History 141Class 71154

What was the little ice age?

A global cooling off period

“A period of very volatile climate

shifts.” (Little Ice Age: Big Chill)

A time of severe weather extremes

There are some discrepancies between scientists on actual beginning date of the little ice age.

Three very cold intervals in 1650, 1770, and 1850

Most common acceptance is 1350-1850 (Wikipedia, Little Ice Age)

After the medieval warm period, also known as the “little climate optimum.” (Little Ice Age:Big Chill”)

When did the little ice age occur?

War

• Weather helped decide outcome of many wars

• Witch hunts became prevelant, they were blamed for extreme weather

Famine

• Crops destroyed by changing climates led to famines killing thousands

• Famines led to increase in potato farming

Disease

• Little ice age created ideal breeding ground for diseases

• The black plague wiped out huge portions of the population

Positive effects

• Increase in beer consumption

• Frost fairs• Developed

farming based economy

• Immigration to North America

What were the effects of the little ice age on history?

What caused it?• The earth getting less radiation from the sun• Volcanic eruptions release sulfur gases creating “greenhouse effect”• Natural flow of oceanic conveyor belt disrupted

Will it happen again?• Scientists believe it could happen again in the next few decades• It is believed that these cooling off periods are cyclical• Many say it isn’t a matter of “if” but “when”.

Documentary film- Little Ice Age: Big Chill

Wikipedia- The Little Ice Age

Presentation Sources