USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Abstract. With the arrival of Europeans in the Western Hemisphere, Native American populations were exposed to new infectious diseases, diseases for which they lacked immunity. These communicable diseases, including smallpox and measles, devastated entire native populations.

Detailed explanation-2: -Measles, mumps, chickenpox, smallpox, diphtheria, influenza, pneumonia, typhoid, and the common cold reach Florida and Cuba and begin their deadly march through populations across the hemisphere.

Detailed explanation-3: -Smallpox was the disease brought by Europeans that was most destructive to the Native Americans, both in terms of morbidity and mortality. The first well-documented smallpox epidemic in the Americas began in Hispaniola in late 1518 and soon spread to Mexico.

Detailed explanation-4: -When the Europeans arrived, carrying germs which thrived in dense, semi-urban populations, the indigenous people of the Americas were effectively doomed. They had never experienced smallpox, measles or flu before, and the viruses tore through the continent, killing an estimated 90% of Native Americans.

Detailed explanation-5: -If smallpox was severe among the whites, it was devastating to the Native American. Smallpox ultimately killed more Native Americans in the early centuries than any other disease or conflict. 2 It was not unusual for half a tribe to be wiped out; on some occasions, the entire tribe was lost.