Which of the following explains the impact of the creation of the smallpox vaccine on the Americas? (1 point)
It led to the deaths of about 90 percent of Indigenous Americans.
• It led to the complete eradication of the disease
• It prevented milkmaids on the two continents from getting the disease
• It led to the development of ways to prevent the disease like mosquito nets
None of the options provided accurately explains the impact of the creation of the smallpox vaccine on the Americas. The correct impact of the creation of the smallpox vaccine on the Americas is that it led to the complete eradication of the disease.
The correct answer to the question is:
- It led to the complete eradication of the disease.
Explanation: The creation of the smallpox vaccine eventually led to the complete eradication of the disease worldwide, including in the Americas. The vaccine, developed by Edward Jenner in the late 18th century, provided immunity against smallpox, thereby preventing its transmission and reducing its impact on populations. This successful vaccination campaign in the Americas eventually eradicated smallpox as a public health threat.
To determine the correct answer, we need to evaluate each option and eliminate the ones that do not accurately explain the impact of the creation of the smallpox vaccine on the Americas.
Option 1: It led to the deaths of about 90 percent of Indigenous Americans.
This statement is not true. The smallpox vaccine did not directly lead to the deaths of Indigenous Americans. Smallpox itself, however, did cause significant mortality among Indigenous populations during the colonization of the Americas.
Option 2: It led to the complete eradication of the disease.
While the smallpox vaccine played a crucial role in eradicating smallpox globally, it did not specifically lead to the complete eradication of the disease in the Americas. Smallpox was eradicated worldwide through a comprehensive vaccination campaign implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) that spanned several decades.
Option 3: It prevented milkmaids on the two continents from getting the disease.
This statement is not accurate. The smallpox vaccine does not specifically prevent milkmaids from getting the disease. It is designed to protect individuals from contracting smallpox, regardless of their occupation.
Option 4: It led to the development of ways to prevent the disease, like mosquito nets.
This statement is not directly related to the smallpox vaccine. Mosquito nets are primarily used for preventing mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, or Zika virus. They are not directly linked to the prevention of smallpox.
By evaluating the options, we can conclude that none of the provided statements accurately explain the impact of the creation of the smallpox vaccine on the Americas.