Final answer:
The Little Ice Age primarily spanned from 1200 to 1700 C.E., causing a slight yet impactful decrease in temperatures, challenging agriculture and affecting various aspects of society, including architecture and energy usage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Little Ice Age that affected Europe from about C. 1200 to 1700 C.E. lowered average annual temperature by only about 1°C but was enough to reduce crop yields, cause mountain glaciers to advance, and produce winters much more severe than in the twentieth century.
The correct answer is (C) 1200 to 1700 C.E. This period was marked by a significant cooling trend that was notable for its impact despite the seemingly minor change in temperature.
Though the Little Ice Age was particularly devastating during the 1300s, its effects lasted for centuries. Unusually cold weather led to adaptations in architecture and clothing, and in some cases, helped kickstart the use of fossil fuels.
The Maunder Minimum, part of the Little Ice Age, was a time of exceptionally low temperatures in Europe, where events such as the Thames River freezing were noted.