A Disease Resistance That Native Americans Lacked When Europeans Came.

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:51:39 +0000

**A Disease Resistance That Native Americans Lacked When Europeans Came** Why are scientists and historians increasingly focusing on a critical vulnerability that shaped the course of early American history? The answer lies in a fundamental biological difference: Native populations in the Americas encountered European diseases—like smallpox, measles, and influenza—for the first time upon contact, facing pathogens they had no prior exposure or developed immunity to. This lack of resistance played a silent yet powerful role in reshaping demographics, societies, and ecosystems across the continent. As modern research deepens understanding, this historical transition reveals far more than a simple story of illness—it exposes complex patterns in human immunity, migration, and adaptation. Exploring this topic reflects a growing public interest in how infectious diseases influenced cultural survival, economic stability, and ongoing health disparities today. ### The Science Behind Resistance and Immune History