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When the Europeans came to the Americas, they brought a variety of diseases which had not been introduced to the Natives. These diseases proved to be extremely deadly. Many explanations are given for the huge decrease in the numbers of Natives; however, these new diseases were a huge contributer. Very soon after the Europeans arrival in the Americas, observers noticed that the Natives were catching and dying from introduced diseases. The death tole from these diseases is impossible to calculate, but it was up to 90% of the population which was killed in some places. The Europeans would arrive to a much weakened and depleted population, which greatly facilitated their ability to conquer. Disease such as typhus, measles, influenza, Bubonic Plague, cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, mumps, yellow fever, and pertussis (whooping cough), and especially smallpox proved extremely deadly. Disease spread quickly through the Americas for several reasons. Firstly, the Natives medical techniques included sweat baths and cold water dippings which may have increased mortality rate. Secondly, the Europeans had much agriculture which allowed them to have more diseases and be more immune to them. Finally, the Natives had already been weakened by a hemorrhagic fever which compounded the effects of the new diseases.

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How did contact with European explorers and exposure to diseases affect the native American population?

The native population was drastically reduced by the introduction of Old World diseases. The exact percentage is unknown.


What was one Major European killer of native Americans?

One major European killer of Native Americans was disease. Europeans brought diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza to the Americas, to which the indigenous peoples had no immunity. These diseases caused widespread devastation and significantly reduced the population of Native Americans.


What caused massive declines in Native American population prior to the seventeenth century?

European explorers and settlers brought diseases such as smallpox to America and the Native peoples did not have an immunity to them and it dramatically reduced their populations.


What impact did European contact have on Native American population between 1500 and 1620?

European contact between 1500 and 1620 had a devastating impact on Native American populations, primarily due to the introduction of diseases such as smallpox, influenza, and measles, to which Indigenous peoples had no immunity. These epidemics resulted in significant population declines, with some estimates suggesting that up to 90% of certain tribes perished. Additionally, European colonization efforts led to increased violence, land dispossession, and disruption of traditional lifestyles, further exacerbating the decline of Native American communities during this period. Overall, the consequences of European contact fundamentally altered the demographic and cultural landscape of Indigenous populations in North America.


What was the Impact of European land claims on Native Americans?

European lands claim to Native Americans by battleing their fears

Related Questions

How did European exploration impact native Americans?

European exploration of the Americas had a devastating impact upon the Native population. Specifically, the Europeans brought diseases with them that the Native Americans had no immunity against. The Native population was ultimately reduced by 90 percent.


How did contact with European explorers and exposure to diseases affect the native American population?

The native population was drastically reduced by the introduction of Old World diseases. The exact percentage is unknown.


Why did epidemic diseases have such a devastating effect on the Native American population in the first years of contact?

European disease had a devastating effect on the indigenous population of Native Americans. Smallpox, ravaged whole communities and is thought to have been a much more direct cause of the precipitous decline Indian population.


What best describes the impact European colonization had on the Western Hemisphere's native population?

The native population was highly respected in terms of territorial possessions and religious beliefs.


What event had the most immediate impact on the Native Americans who lived on the great plains?

The spread of European diseases had the greatest impact on Native Americans. Large numbers were wiped out by these foreign diseases they were unprepared to deal with.


Why and how did many native Americans die in during the age of European exploration?

They died because the europeans carried a disease with them called smallpox, and while they were used to this disease the native americans were not and their immune systems did not know how to fight it.


What was the European effect on the indigenous people?

European exploration caused Native Americans to lose much of their land and exposed them to new weapons, beliefs and lifestyles. It also exposed them to European diseases that their bodies weren't accustomed to, leading to the deaths of millions of Native Americans from disease.


What was one Major European killer of native Americans?

One major European killer of Native Americans was disease. Europeans brought diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza to the Americas, to which the indigenous peoples had no immunity. These diseases caused widespread devastation and significantly reduced the population of Native Americans.


What describes an effect of the Columbian exchange?

Huge numbers of American native peoples died from European diseases.


What is the best reason why so many native people in Australia died from European diseases?

The native people had never been exposed to European diseases and had no immunity.


What was one impact of European colonization on native Americans?

The loss of many Indians or that Indians die because they spreded diseases


Who spread the diseases to the native Americans?

The European explorers and colonists did