The Little Ice Age was a period of cooler temperatures that lasted from the late 13th century to the mid-19th century. It affected various regions, particularly in Europe and North America, leading to harsher winters and shorter growing seasons. This climatic shift had significant impacts on agriculture, causing crop failures and food shortages. During the Little Ice Age, notable events included the freezing of the Thames River in London and the expansion of glaciers in the Alps. These changes influenced social and economic conditions, contributing to hardships for many communities and altering historical patterns of settlement and migration.