Native Americans and European Diseases: A Misunderstanding of Epidemics

Introduction to the Misconception of 'European Diseases'

It is a common misconception to refer to certain diseases as 'European diseases', as the idea of such a distinction is misleading. Europeans and Native Americans alike were subjected to similar diseases prevalent in Afroeurasia, rendering the notion of 'European diseases' inaccurate.

The Same Diseases Across Continents

Europeans and other populations such as Asians and Africans shared the same diseases during the era of early contact. This shared experience meant that both regions had faced similar health challenges. Consequently, the inhabitants of the Americas, like the Asians and Africans, did not experience massive mortality due to the arrival of diseases from Europeans. The diseases were inherent to the Old World, encompassing Afroeurasian regions. Just as it is incorrect to label HIV as an 'African disease', the same holds true for the transmission and impact of diseases during the early modern era.

Blind to Microorganisms: An Absence of Germ Theory

Neither Native Americans nor Europeans grasped the concept of microorganisms and the mechanisms behind diseases. These pre-modern populations relied on superstition to explain their suffering. Europeans and Native Americans both held beliefs in divine punishment, magic, and supernatural entities as causes for sickness and misfortune. These beliefs ranged from the thought that punishment came from divine sources or from black magic to the notion that individuals might be accused of being witches or possessed by evil spirits. These explanations were inadequate and misguided, reflecting the lack of scientific understanding of diseases.

Lack of Awareness and Understanding

The understanding of diseases as a concept was not immediate due to a lack of scientific knowledge. Prior to 1492, syphilis being an airborne childhood disease, and a few foodborne illnesses or parasites, New World natives generally did not encounter significant sickness. However, within a century of contact, they learned about the nature of diseases. By the time the Mayflower arrived in New England, the concept of disease had spread, and the information was already known to some. Legends and stories, such as those of Tisquantum (Squanto), played a role in informing the early settlers about the diseases and potential causes.

Superior Hygiene and Misunderstanding Germ Theory

Although some Native Americans developed better hygiene practices that reduced the severity of diseases over time, this did not equate to understanding germ theory. The hygienic practices were a practical response to the diseases rather than a scientific comprehension of how they spread. This distinction is crucial in understanding the historical context of both Native American and European responses to diseases during the era of colonization.