Abstract
This paper analyses the various effects of the introduction of new diseases to the Pacific. It contains accounts of various epidemics and their effects and consequences for both island populations and foreigners. History, politics, and science combine to provide an interesting and informative evaluation of early European involvement in the Pacific.

From the Paper
"While the impact of yaws in Tahiti cannot be attributed to Europeans, the spread of this disease to certain other communities, as well as the introduction of syphilis and gonorrhoea to most island groups, is indisputably the fault of these voyagers. While venereal disease had little impact on mortality, it was responsible for lowered natality. The importance of syphilis was not generally high due to the presence of yaws. Gonorrhoea, on the other hand, often renders sterile those unfortunate women who contract it and thus played a significant role in the depopulation of certain communities, including those of Tahiti, Hawaii, and New Zealand Maori. "So long as venereal diseases were widespread [...] populations could not recover." "

Tags:aguila, cakobau, colonialists, darwinists, death, depopulation, dido, disease, dysentery

Abstract
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."

Tags:North, America, disease, mortality, rate, colonization, Europeanization, culture, Europe, smallpox, measles, dysentery