This study of disease among the native peoples of the New World
before and after 1492 challenges many widely held notions about
encounters between European and native peoples. Whereas many late
twentieth century scholars blamed the catastrophic decline of
post-conquest native populations on the introduction of previously
unknown infections from the Old World, Alchon argues that the
experiences of native peoples in the New World closely resembled
those of other human populations. Exposure to lethal new infections
resulted in rates of morbidity and mortality among native Americans
comparable to those found among Old World populations. Why then did
native American populations decline by 75 to 90 percent in the
century following contact with Europeans? Why did these populations
fail to recover, in contrast to those of Africa, Asia, and Europe?
Alchon points to the practices of European colonialism. Warfare and
slavery increased mortality, and forced migrations undermined
social, political, and economic institutions. This timely study
effectively overturns the notion of New World exceptionalism. By
showing that native Americans were not uniquely affected by
European diseases, Alchon also undercuts the stereotypical notion
of the Americas as a new Eden, free of disease and violence until
the intrusion of germ-laden, rapacious Europeans.
General
Imprint: |
University of New Mexico Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
March 2003 |
First published: |
2003 |
Authors: |
Suzanne Austin Alchon
|
Dimensions: |
155 x 229 x 19mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
214 |
Edition: |
1st ed |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-8263-2871-7 |
Categories: |
Books >
Humanities >
History >
General
Books >
History >
General
|
LSN: |
0-8263-2871-7 |
Barcode: |
9780826328717 |
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