The Little Ice Age was an acute ice age that occurred between the 14th and 19th centuries, changing the world in unexpected ways. It destroyed the Spanish Armada, caused famine in Paris that led to the French Revolution, and caused Americans to drink 11 times more beer than wine. Potential causes included unusual solar activity, heightened volcanic activity that blocked sunlight, and increased carbon dioxide uptake after the Black Death. The Little Ice Age significantly impacted agriculture by damaging crops and livestock with cold temperatures and parasites that thrived under snow cover.