A team of researchers from the University of Hong Kong, led by David Zhang has suggested, that the Little Ice Age in the years 1550-1850 was the main cause of major economic and social problems at this time. This assumption was based on a three-year analysis of all available data in the archives of European countries. Particularly adverse impact on the socio-economic situation in Europe had started the Little Ice Age 1560-1630 years, when quite cold snap in Europe has led to numerous wars, insurrections and outbreaks. As a result, reduced availability of staple foods, leading to malnutrition and reduce of the population.