Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → History

The potato brought an era of peace and prosperity to Europe

You shouldn't overlook the potato.

Elena Motivans by Elena Motivans
December 11, 2017
in Agriculture, History, News

The potato, though a simple food, was actually a harbinger of peace to Europe. It brought economic stability that countries were less willing to gamble in a war.

Potatoes were first discovered in Latin America in the 1400s and brought to Europe. They revolutionized agriculture because they could be grown in many different types of soil, are drought resistant, and can be stored for a long time. Potatoes can be prepared in many different forms, such as fried, boiled, and baked. Most Europe countries have a traditionally potato-based dish, whether it be colcannon, dumplings, moussaka, French fries, vodka, and gnocchi. Even now, it is the forth most consumed crop world-wide.

In a study published for the National Bureau of Economic Research, the introduction of the potato is linked historically with peace and prosperity. The researchers examined 2,477 battles fought in 899 wars over 500 years in Europe.

The potato: a peaceful food. Image credits: Lumbar.

The introduction of the potato lowered the cost of land. Land was more valuable before because you need a lot of prime land to grow the amount of crops necessary to feed a country. Wars were fought to secure prime agricultural land. However, potatoes could be grown on smaller pieces of land and still produce a good yield, even in poorer soils. Then land was less valuable so fewer people fought over it.

The more reliable harvests boosted incomes for farmers and for the state, with higher tax revenues. There was more political stability within countries as peasants and rulers had increased income. When a country was weighing out if it was worth it to go to war or recolt, more and more often, it just wasn’t worth it anymore. The citizens were more afraid to lose their resources. It became “too expensive to engage in combat.”

Additionally, potatoes had a good nutritional value and supported growing populations. They acted as a buffer for extreme weather conditions, such as cold weather and droughts. These extreme weather conditions can prompt a country to engage in war.

“The climatic shocks observed over time, like rough winters, have tended to favor the emergence of conflicts,” said Iyigun, a University of Colorado professor. “People have had to fight to survive.”

Potatoes gave Europeans a greater degree of food security, which in turn, stabilizes the whole region. A lesson can be taken from history, in that currently poor countries need to increase their food stability and reliability to become more politically stable.

 

Was this helpful?


Thanks for your feedback!

Related posts:
  1. China releases report on climate change, understands it ‘threatens prosperity’
  2. Canadian Food Agency approves the sale of Simplot’s Innate potato in Canada
  3. The devastating scale of WWII and the new age of peace: one data-driven documentary
  4. Can Greta Thunberg win the Nobel Peace Prize?
  5. The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize goes to the United Nations for its efforts in feeding the world’s hungry

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW