Which of the following describes a major similarity between the populations of North America and Europe during the 15th century?

A. Both populations were forced to adapt to environmental changes that resulted in massive epidemics.

B. Both populations had largely abandoned hunting-gathering strategies after developing advanced farming.

C. Both populations were divided by language and culture, but united under a common religion.

D. Both populations developed techniques that allowed them to alter their environments to suit their needs.

Answer: D. Both populations developed techniques that allowed them to alter their environments to suit their needs.

In the 15th century, the populations of Europe and America were not in contact. In fact, for most of the century, they were not even aware of each other's existence.

Nevertheless, despite such separate development paths, there were some commonalities between all cultures. For example, the fact that they had all learned to use their environment to their advantage.

An example of that in North America is the case of the people of Central Mexico. They were able to learn how to farm on water, as their city was in the middle of a lake with very little land. In the case of Europe, developments such as the water mills used the natural resources people had to their advantage, and as a consequence altered their natural environment.