Why did the Europeans decimate the native American populations when they first arrived in the Americas and not vice versa?
Obviously the answer is because the Europeans had been exposed to more pathogens over the millennia than the early native Americans. So what does this say about the two cultures if anything? Did the Europeans live like vermin compared to their native American counterparts?
Originally posted by whodeyThe Americas were populated a relatively long time ago. Most of the diseases in question were relatively new to Europe too and had decimated the Europeans when they first arrived in Europe.
But I thought that Asians populated the Americas
It is possible, though not confirmed, that syphilis came from the Americas and did, quite seriously affect the Europeans.
1 edit
Originally posted by twhiteheadSince these diseases developed in Europe, what does that say about their sanitation compared to those in the Americas if anything?
The Americas were populated a relatively long time ago. Most of the diseases in question were relatively new to Europe too and had decimated the Europeans when they first arrived in Europe.
It is possible, though not confirmed, that syphilis came from the Americas and did, quite seriously affect the Europeans.
I think the issue is sanitation in large city dwellings in Europe compared to the smaller village settings in the Americas
1 edit
Originally posted by whodeyYeah the cities were smelly cesspools back then, the indians were basically just camping out in relatively small numbers by rivers and lakes so they didn't have sanitation problems.
Since these diseases developed in Europe, what does that say about their sanitation compared to those in the Americas if anything?
I think the issue is sanitation in large city dwellings in Europe compared to the smaller village settings in the Americas
1 edit
Originally posted by FishHead111That must be it then.
Yeah the cities were smelly cesspools back then, the indians were basically just camping out in relatively small numbers by rivers and lakes so they didn't have sanitation problems.
Thread closed. Another problem solved by Whodey! 😵
Originally posted by whodeyThey didn't 'develop in Europe'. They came from various parts of Asia and Africa, and before that, who knows? Look up each disease in turn to learn its history, each one is unique. Some had to so with sanitation, some were related to fleas and rats, some were spread through sex (and thus aggravated by war), some affected mostly the poor, some affected everyone equally.
Since these diseases developed in Europe, what does that say about their sanitation compared to those in the Americas if anything?
I think the issue is sanitation in large city dwellings in Europe compared to the smaller village settings in the Americas
If you really want to learn more about it, then this is an excellent lecture series from Yale University:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3AE7B3B6917DE8E6
1 edit
Originally posted by whodeyMost of them came from China actually.
Since these diseases developed in Europe, what does that say about their sanitation compared to those in the Americas if anything?
I think the issue is sanitation in large city dwellings in Europe compared to the smaller village settings in the Americas