The Rest Is History 89. Climate & Weather
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Aug 23, 2021 Dive into the fascinating relationship between climate and historical events! Discover how freezing conditions halted wars and political unrest surged during bad weather. Uncover the legend of Japan's typhoons that allegedly thwarted invasions, blending history and folklore. Explore the significant impacts of adverse weather on the French Revolution and military strategies in battles like Agincourt. Plus, enjoy humorous anecdotes and engaging stories that highlight how climate has shaped human civilization through the ages.
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Little Ice Age Impact
- The Little Ice Age, marked by a two-degree temperature drop, significantly impacted the 17th century.
- This period witnessed snow in Japan, droughts in Africa, and river drying in the New World, resulting in widespread harvest failures.
Little Ice Age Anomalies
- During the Little Ice Age, the Bosphorus froze, enabling travel between Europe and Asia on foot.
- Frost fairs on the Thames featured bear-baiting and football, highlighting the era's extreme cold.
Late Antique Cooling
- The Late Antique Little Ice Age, starting mid-6th century AD, caused by volcanic explosions, brought bluish sunlight and blurred seasons.
- This cooling led to famines, recorded in Irish Annals and Chinese accounts, marking a shift from antiquity to the medieval world.