The impact of disease on indigenous civilizations in the Americas was absolutely devastating. From the arrival of European explorers in the 15th century to the colonization of the Americas, indigenous populations were devastated by the introduction of European diseases. The Aztecs and pre-colonial Brazil were among the most advanced civilizations in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans, but the introduction of diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza proved to be their downfall. It is imperative to acknowledge the role that disease played in these historical events and to continue to learn from them in order to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
The Aztec civilization is one of the most sophisticated indigenous civilizations in the Americas. Their empire covered large parts of modern-day Mexico and Central America.
Disease, particularly smallpox, played a significant role in the fall of the Aztec civilization. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1519, they brought with them a host of diseases that the native population had never encountered before (National Geographic Society, 2022). The most significant of these was smallpox. Smallpox was an infectious disease that caused fever and a rash, leading to disfigurement and often death. The Aztecs had no natural immunity to smallpox, and as a result, it quickly ravaged the population.
The Aztec Empire had a population of around 30 million people before the arrival of the Spanish (Past Medical History, 2018). By the time of the conquest of the Aztecs, smallpox had already decimated their population, with estimates of only 1.5-3 million natives surviving (Past Medical History, 2018). The disease was particularly devastating because it spread quickly, was highly contagious, and the lack of knowledge about smallpox at the time made it extremely difficult for the Aztecs to combat. Before the conquistadors appeared in South America, Aztec society was already weakened by other factors such as political instability, drought, and famine, which made them even more susceptible to the spread of disease.
Smallpox was not the only disease to affect the Aztecs. Measles, influenza, and typhus also played a role in their decline (PBS, 2019). These diseases, like smallpox, were new to the Aztec population and spread quickly. The Aztecs had no immunity to these diseases, and as a result, they suffered devastating losses. Diseases like smallpox decimated the Aztec population and weakened their society, making it easier for the Spanish to conquer them. Disease was not the only factor that led to the fall of the Aztec civilization, but it played a significant role. The impact of disease on the Aztecs serves as a cautionary tale about the catastrophe that can occur when disease is let loose on vulnerable populations.
The impact of disease on the pre-colonial Brazilian civilizations is a complex topic, with many factors contributing to their eventual collapse. However, one of the most significant factors was the introduction of infectious diseases, which had devastating consequences for the native populations. Measles is one such disease that played a particularly significant role in the fall of pre-colonial Brazilian civilizations. Pre-colonial Brazil was home to a diverse range of indigenous populations, each with their own unique cultures and traditions. Estimates suggest that the total population of Brazil at the time of European arrival was between two and five million people (Gurgel & da Rosa, 2012). However, the introduction of diseases like measles to these populations proved to be just as catastrophic for the indigenous populations of Brazil as it was to the Aztecs.
Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease. It can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, cough, and a characteristic rash. Measles is particularly dangerous for young children and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (WHO, 2023). Measles was likely introduced to pre-colonial Brazil by Portuguese colonizers who came into contact with the indigenous populations of Brazilian civilizations. (Pearce, 2015). Just like the Aztecs, the native Brazilian populations had no natural immunity to measles, and it quickly tore through their communities, causing widespread illness and death wherever the Portuguese colonizers went. The impact of measles on pre-colonial Brazilian populations was staggering. The mortality rate was particularly high among children, who were most vulnerable to the disease (WHO, 2023). In addition to measles, other diseases also played a significant role in the fall of pre-colonial Brazilian civilizations. The ubiquitous smallpox, for example, was another highly contagious disease that was introduced to these populations by European explorers. Smallpox is caused by a virus and can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, rash, and blisters. Like measles, smallpox is particularly dangerous for young children and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (WHO, 2016). The impact of smallpox on pre-colonial Brazilian populations was similarly devastating, with mortality rates of up to 80% reported in some areas (Pearce, 2015). Overall, the disease was a tragically crucial factor in the fall of pre-colonial Brazilian civilizations. Measles, smallpox, and other diseases introduced by European explorers had a catastrophic impact on these populations, single-handedly slaughtering the majority of some groups. The loss of life and culture these diseases left in their wake was a tragedy that continues to resonate in Brazil today. While some indigenous populations were able to survive and rebuild in the centuries that followed, their societies were forever changed by the introduction of infectious diseases and the mass death that followed. Both the Aztecs and pre-colonial Brazil experienced devastating impacts from diseases brought by European colonizers. There was overlap in the diseases introduced to the New World, but for the most part, the Aztecs were largely struck by smallpox, while measles had a major impact on pre-colonial Brazil. While both diseases and several others led to the downfall of these civilizations, the specific impacts were different due to various factors.
Smallpox played a crucial role in the downfall of the Aztecs. Huge portions of the Aztec population died from smallpox within a few years of its introduction, which resulted in significant social and political disruptions and weakened the empire (PBS, 2019). Smallpox also killed key Aztec leaders right as the Spanish conquistadors began their conquest, including the Aztec king (PBS, 2019). Smallpox beheaded the Aztecs’ government and military and weakened the empire's ability to resist the Spanish conquest at the worst possible time. This travesty of fortune created a domino effect that ultimately led to the downfall of the Aztec civilization.
Measles was the disease that most affected pre-colonial Brazil. Like smallpox, measles caused significant social disruptions and weakened the population, but it did not have the same immediate and direct impact as smallpox did on the Aztecs. Instead, measles became endemic and continued to plague the indigenous population in Brazil long after initial contact with Europeans. The disease had long-term effects on the population, including reduced fertility and increased susceptibility to other infections (Gurgel & da Rosa, 2012). While both smallpox and measles had a significant impact on the indigenous populations of the Aztecs and pre-colonial Brazil, the specific impacts were different due to various factors. Some of these factors include the timeline of disease introduction, population density, and the populations’ resistance to disease. Nevertheless, both smallpox and measles contributed to the downfall of these civilizations and had long-term impacts on the people of the Americas.
The impact of disease on indigenous civilizations in North and South America cannot be overstated. Both the Aztecs and pre-colonial Brazil experienced significant population declines and social disruption due to the introduction of diseases brought by European colonizers. The lack of immunity and medical knowledge among these populations only exacerbated the spread and severity of the diseases, ultimately leading to the fall of their civilizations.
Furthermore, the legacy of disease on indigenous populations in North and South America continues to this day. The introduction of diseases by European colonizers and the subsequent decline in population allowed for land and resources to be more easily taken by European powers. The effects of this can still be seen in the social and economic inequalities faced by indigenous populations today. It is important to address and work towards rectifying these injustices, while also continuing to prioritize efforts towards disease prevention and treatment for all populations. By acknowledging the past and working towards a more just and equitable future, we can honor the legacy of those who were impacted by disease and strive towards a better future for all.
Works Cited
"How Smallpox Devastated the Aztecs and Helped Spain Conquer an American Civilization 500
Years Ago" PBS, 23 Feb. 2019,
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/how-smallpox-devastated-the-aztecs-and-helped-spain-co nquer-an-american-civilization-500-years-ago.
"Aztec Civilization" National Geographic Society, May 20, 2022, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/aztec-civilization/. "Smallpox and the Conquest of Mexico" Past Medical History, 28 Feb. 2018, https://www.pastmedicalhistory.co.uk/smallpox-and-the-conquest-of-mexico/.
Gurgel, Cristina Brandt Friedrich Martin, & Camila Andrade Pereira da Rosa. “História Da Medicina A Varíola No Brasil Colonial (Séculos XVI e XVII)." Biblioteca Virtual Em Saúde, 2012, pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/lil-667740.
“Measles.” World Health Organization, 20 Mar. 2023, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles.
Pearce, Matt. “The History of Measles: A Scourge for Centuries.” Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2015, www.latimes.com/local/california/la-na-measles-timeline-20150205-story.html.
“Smallpox.” World Health Organization, 28 June 2016,
https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/smallpox