Final answer:
The three key caloric staples domesticated by Native American farmers are maize (corn), potatoes, and cassava. These crops were developed through selective breeding, with maize originating about 9,000 years ago from teosinte. They have become fundamental to global agriculture and remain significant to American farmers and the global economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked about the three key caloric staples and major sources of carbohydrates that were domesticated by Native American farmers. These staple crops are incredibly significant as they contribute a huge percentage of the calories in human diets worldwide. The three major staple crops domesticated by Native American farmers are maize (corn), potatoes, and cassava. These foods were not only essential to the diets of the Native American civilizations that developed them but have since become crucial components of global agriculture.
Maize, which is now the most important staple in the world, originated from a native grass called teosinte in what is now Mexico around nine thousand years ago. Indigenous women, who were the primary farmers at that time, selectively bred this grass to produce more and bigger seeds, resulting in the maize we know today. Similarly, varieties of potatoes were cultivated by Indigenous peoples in South America, becoming a significant food source that contributed to Europe's population boom after their introduction. Cassava, another important staple crop, originates from South America and is a major source of carbohydrates.
American farmers continue to play a pivotal role in the production and supply of these staple crops, which remain integral to the agricultural economy and food security. The adoption of these crops in Europe, as stated in Adam Smith's 'On the Wealth of Nations,' helped prevent famines and supported the rise of the Industrial Revolution. Today, these crops not only feed populations but also play a significant role in various industries, with uses that range from human and animal feed to the production of industrial products like plastics and fuel.