Native Americans and European Epidemics

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the arrival of Europeans on North American shores with respect to the way that it affected the lifestyle of Native Americans. It focuses on the diseases introduced to North America by these Europeans. The paper begins by providing a background to the way of life of the Native Americans before the arrival of the Europeans. It then turns to the arrival of epidemics in North America, responsible for Native Americans suffering higher mortality rates than at any other time in human history. The most common diseases introduced to the "New World" at the time are discussed as are the affect these diseases had on the Native American mortality rate. The paper then turns to the way that the lifestyle of Native Americans was affected by these diseases. It speaks of the weakened ability to resist colonization and the Europeanization of Native American culture. It concludes by proposing the argument that the introduction of these epidemics was not accidental, and that they were intended to weaken the defenses of Native Americans against the colonizers.

From the Paper:

"In early America, when people of three continents came together, the Native Americans were dramatically affected by epidemics, suffering higher mortality rates than any other time in human history. (Geier, 1991) People from Latin America, North America and Europe merged, each carrying and introducing diseases indigenous to their own societies.

"When the Native Americans first encountered common European diseases like smallpox, measles and dysentery, millions died. In extreme cases, 90 percent of certain Indian tribes died as European epidemics swept through their villages."

More papers on Native Americans and European Epidemics:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 9857 : "The Effects of European Epidemics on the Indians"
• Analytical Essay # 56480 : "Native American and European American Cultural Differences"
• Essay # 46928 : "Smallpox in Colonial America"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: