A Pest in the Land New World Epidemics in a Global Perspective Diálogos Series 1st Edition by Suzanne Austin Alchon ISBN 0826328717 978-082632871

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Product details: 

ISBN 10: 0826328717 

ISBN 13: 978-082632871

Author: Suzanne Austin Alchon

Newly pertinent to today’s coronavirus pandemic, 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 postconquest 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.

Table of contents: 

OLD WORLD EPIDEMIOLOGY TO 1500 

APPENDIX THE DEMOGRAPHIC DEBATE

EPILOGUE

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Suzanne Austin Alchon,A Pest,the Land,New World,a Global Perspective