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> Estimates have varied widely from as low as 8 million to as many as 100 million, though many scholars gravitated toward an estimate of around 50 million by t

by jajko 2y ago

> Estimates have varied widely from as low as 8 million to as many as 100 million, though many scholars gravitated toward an estimate of around 50 million by the end of the 20th century. At least check the articles you link yourself, ffs. Not sure why the apologism here, genocide was done through and through, intentionally by outright murder and slavery and unintentionally via diseases (but even that was spread with intent once found out their immunity is weak against old continent diseases)

bluebarbet 2y ago
>ffs Doing this is the equivalent of throwing a small piece of litter in an otherwise clean alley. Humans being what they are, the alley will soon be a trash heap.
inglor_cz 2y ago
"but even that was spread with intent once found out their immunity is weak against old continent diseases" This is somewhat unsure. First, if we are talking about the Spanish conquest, that is deep 16th century, with all its magical thinking. God, the Devil and witches were all plausible explanations for epidemics, and holy processions, pilgrimages and carrying of medailons dedicated to saint X were considered reasonable treatment methods. It is a mistake to look at the 16th century with 21st century eyes; it is a different world resting on very different mental foundations. Second, at least in the Spanish territories, losing your workforce was economically disadvantageous.
cyberax 2y ago
> At least check the articles you link yourself, ffs. Yeah, and as you see, the 100 million is a highly questionable value. Just try to read past the first paragraph, maybe? > but even that was spread with intent once found out their immunity is weak against old continent diseases Nope. The germ theory of disease was not formed until 1800-s, the invention of vaccination was in 1796. There were some inklings that smallpox can be spread through contaminated items even before that time, but not much earlier.

by jajko 2y ago

bluebarbet 2y ago

>ffs Doing this is the equivalent of throwing a small piece of litter in an otherwise clean alley. Humans being what they are, the alley will soon be a trash heap.

inglor_cz 2y ago

"but even that was spread with intent once found out their immunity is weak against old continent diseases" This is somewhat unsure. First, if we are talking about the Spanish conquest, that is deep 16th century, with all its magical thinking. God, the Devil and witches were all plausible explanations for epidemics, and holy processions, pilgrimages and carrying of medailons dedicated to saint X were considered reasonable treatment methods. It is a mistake to look at the 16th century with 21st century eyes; it is a different world resting on very different mental foundations. Second, at least in the Spanish territories, losing your workforce was economically disadvantageous.

cyberax 2y ago

> At least check the articles you link yourself, ffs. Yeah, and as you see, the 100 million is a highly questionable value. Just try to read past the first paragraph, maybe? > but even that was spread with intent once found out their immunity is weak against old continent diseases Nope. The germ theory of disease was not formed until 1800-s, the invention of vaccination was in 1796. There were some inklings that smallpox can be spread through contaminated items even before that time, but not much earlier.