At the time of Columbus’s voyages to America, there were an estimated 50 to 80 million people in the Americas, living mostly in South America.
By comparison, the European population (including Russia) was around 90 million at the time.
A century and a half later, perhaps 80 million “Indians” were dead — close to 1/5 of humankind, the greatest loss of life in human history.
Disease — smallpox, flu, measles— was the biggest killer.
By comparison, the European population (including Russia) was around 90 million at the time.
A century and a half later, perhaps 80 million “Indians” were dead — close to 1/5 of humankind, the greatest loss of life in human history.
Disease — smallpox, flu, measles— was the biggest killer.
