Chapter 3: 1st Green Revolution Flashcards
What is the commonly associated time period for the Green Revolution, and what was its impact on the nitrogen cycle?
Most historians associate the Green Revolution with the period after World War II (post-1945). It marked the first major alteration of the world’s nitrogen cycle, largely through the use of petrochemical fertilizers.
What evidence did historian Edward D. Melillo present to argue that the First Green Revolution occurred earlier than the post-1945 period?
Melillo argued that between 1840 and 1930, the export of millions of tons of guano (sea bird excrement) from Peru and Chile provided farmers with nitrogen-rich fertilizer, leading to an “energy-intensive” approach to agriculture.
Multiple Choice: What was guano used for during the First Green Revolution?
A) Fuel for industrial machines
B) Nitrogen-based fertilizer to expand fields for cultivation
C) Livestock feed
D) Material for making tools
B
What labor conditions were involved in extracting guano from the islands of Peru and Chile during the First Green Revolution?
Thousands of convicts, army deserters, and workers from the Pacific Rim, including China, were employed under harsh conditions to extract guano, often working as debt peons in servitude and suffering from poor living conditions.
How did the U.S. government ensure a consistent supply of guano for fertilizer during the First Green Revolution?
The U.S. Congress passed the Guano Islands Act in 1856, which allowed the government to seize any uninhabited islands containing untapped guano supplies.
Multiple Choice: What technological advancement in the early 20th century replaced the need for guano in fertilizer production?
A) The Haber-Bosch process to create ammonia-based fertilizer
B) Mechanical harvesters for grain crops
C) Steam engines for plowing
D) The invention of artificial irrigation systems
A
What was the impact of the Haber-Bosch process on fertilizer production by the end of World War II?
By the end of World War II, ammonia-based fertilizer production had increased 20-fold, significantly boosting global agricultural production.
How did the First Green Revolution affect population growth in Europe and Asia?
By 1850, Europe’s population had doubled to 275 million due to the growth of commercial wheat farming. Asia’s population also rose significantly from 327 million in 1650 to 741 million in 1850, in part due to the introduction of New World crops like corn and potatoes.
What impact did the introduction of New World crops, such as corn and potatoes, have on China’s food production by the 20th century?
:By the 20th century, corn and potatoes from the Americas made up about 20% of China’s annual food production, contributing to significant population growth.
How did the First Green Revolution contribute to global food security and agricultural expansion?
The introduction of guano as a fertilizer allowed farmers to expand their cultivation, resulting in higher crop yields, increased food availability, and global agricultural expansion, particularly in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
