Geography\'s Role in the Spread of Epidemics

Diseases that are not native to a certain population and are introduced by outsiders or foreigners can have devastating effects. Native populations are vulnerable to germs and viruses brought in by outsiders because they lack the immunological strength and ability to combat these illnesses. Such was the case during the conquest of both North and South America during early colonial times. The native population was blindsided and crippled by the various diseases that the white man brought with them.

The white man overpowered the Indigenous populations of America with their superior weaponry and battle tactics. These two factors contributed greatly to the white man's dominance, another factor that contributed was, undoubtedly the spread of disease and germs. Some of the diseases that were introduced to the native population by Europeans included: smallpox, measles, typhus, and venereal diseases (Ashburn 199). Small pox was one of the diseases that absolutely decimated the native populations of America. It was instrumental in the defeat of the Aztec civilization in Central Mexico during the early 16th century. According to still existing taxation records small pox wiped out an estimated 18 million of the population which was originally believed to number about 25 million (Bollet 78). The native populations suffered from diseases that originated in Europe and the old continents, while Europeans were not affected as drastically by these diseases during the conquest of America. The reason for this contrast in mortality rate between Native Americans and Europeans is directly related to geographical origin and location. Many of the diseases that killed millions of Native Americans were introduced to humans by animals. This occurred because of agricultural practices that had been traditionally occurring in Europe for centuries. Europeans domesticated and bred animals for food and farming necessities. They held animals in farms where they lived; this facilitated the contact between humans and animals and caused the spread of disease. By the time that Europeans set out to conquer the new world they had built up a stronger immunological system. The Europeans relatively strong immunological system was built up after several generations and hundreds of years. When plagues occurred only the strongest survived, these survivors with strong immunological systems mated with each other and birthed newer generations that were progressively more immune to diseases and germs. Native populations in America had no such luck, as they did not engage in the farming and domestication of animals like their European counterparts.