Question

Soon after the Columbian Exchange began, European ships carried potatoes from the Americas to Europe. Which was an intentional consequence of that action? A. Over a million Irish died in the famine that resulted when the Irish potato crop, the major source of food and income for Irish farmers, was destroyed by a blight. B. People in northern and western Europe started planting and eating potatoes as an important source of nutrition. C. Europeans boycotted potatoes as a means of showing their disapproval with the working conditions of native laborers. D. Potatoes replaced wheat and barley as profitable crops in central and southern Europe.

Answer 1

Let's look at the options with respect to whether they could have been intentional:

A. Over a million Irish died in the famine that resulted when the Irish potato crop, the major source of food and income for Irish farmers, was destroyed by a blight.
-this could by no means be intentional!!!

B. People in northern and western Europe started planting and eating potatoes as an important source of nutrition.
-yes, this is the correct answer: they would want to introduce new, effective nutrition sources into Europe.

C. Europeans boycotted potatoes as a means of showing their disapproval with the working conditions of native laborers.
-carrying potatoes would not be compatible with a boycott, not the right option,

 D. Potatoes replaced wheat and barley as profitable crops in central and southern Europe. 
- I don't think this would be their intention, rather they would want potatoes to be planted along the other plants.