Final answer:
The discovery of a valuable resource likely had the greatest influence on subsequent events in the passage "A New Colony for Families," causing socioeconomic changes, affecting native populations, and altering the environment through the Columbian Exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the passage "A New Colony for Families," the event that has the greatest influence on subsequent events is likely the discovery of a valuable resource. The discovery of resources often led to rapid socioeconomic changes, including the rise of slavery as Europeans sought to exploit these resources. Additionally, the arrival of Europeans had a significant effect on the indigenous population, often resulting in conflict, the spread of diseases to which natives had no immunity, and cultural upheaval. The impact of European settlement on the environment and the introduction of the Columbian Exchange also had far-reaching consequences, altering the ecology of the New World and the demography of both the Old and New Worlds.