Given the task definition and input, reply with output. This task is about writing a correct answer for the reading comprehension task. Based on the information provided in a given passage, you should identify the shortest continuous text span from the passage that serves as an answer to the given question. Avoid answers that are incorrect or provides incomplete justification for the question.

Passage: The first years of the 14th century were marked by famines, culminating in the Great Famine of 131517. The causes of the Great Famine included the slow transition from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age, which left the population vulnerable when bad weather caused crop failures. The years 131314 and 131721 were excessively rainy throughout Europe, resulting in widespread crop failures. The climate changewhich resulted in a declining average annual temperature for Europe during the 14th centurywas accompanied by an economic downturn. Question: What period resulted in poor weather that increased crop failures?
the Little Ice Age