A new study says the introduction of potatoes and the resultant increase in productivity "dramatically reduced conflict" both within and between states for some two centuries
AFP: Potatoes for peace: how the humble tuber stopped conflict in Europe
The humble potato -- drought-resistant, able to thrive in diverse soils, and enjoyed fried, steamed or baked -- brought centuries of relative calm and prosperity to Europe after its introduction in the 16th century, a new study says.
The crop, discovered in Latin America in the 1400s before eventually sweeping through Europe, greatly boosted productivity, helping lower land costs while improving nutrition and raising wages, from peasants up to the ruling classes, according to the study for the National Bureau of Economic Research.
The blessings that flowed from this agricultural revolution helped ease the economic and societal pressures that can lead to costly and disastrous conflicts, says the report.
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WNU Editor: I was not aware that the potato came from the Americas. One of my favorite Russian dishes. Fried potatoes with bacon, mushrooms and onions. Brings peace to my stomach all the time. :)
3 comments:
Later wars were driven by (mostly) religion during the Protestant versus Catholic strife. Later, during the early industrial age, children living in poverty were undernurished, ill, etc., but by contrast, in Ireland, with even worse poverty, children were in fairly decent health because their chief nourishment was the potato. Potatoes and milk furnish all the vitamins and minerals the body needs. When the potato blight hit Ireland", people were deprived of necessary nutrients, and that led to massive migration to America
Another factor was the difficulty of destroying a crop grown underground versus wheat, the dominant crop grown befor the introduction of the potato. It was a much simpler task to burn or trample the wheat crop.
My world famously sweet potato donuts
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