While investigating the impact of Eurasian diseases in the Americas, which of the following would a historian have a difficult time determining? (1 point)
• the connection between disease and Spanish conquest
• the impact of smallpox on the body
• the types of disease
• the percentage of deaths
A historian would have a difficult time determining the percentage of deaths caused by Eurasian diseases in the Americas. This is because accurate records of death rates and population numbers were not consistently kept during this time period, making it challenging to calculate the exact percentage of deaths attributable to these diseases.
A historian would have a difficult time determining the percentage of deaths as a result of Eurasian diseases in the Americas.
A historian investigating the impact of Eurasian diseases in the Americas may have a difficult time determining the percentage of deaths. Here's an explanation of why this could be challenging:
1. The connection between disease and Spanish conquest: Historians can examine historical records, accounts, and letters from the time to understand the relationship between the spread of diseases and the Spanish conquest. They can analyze patterns, timelines, and descriptions to establish correlations between the two.
2. The impact of smallpox on the body: Historians can study medical literature, medical records, and testimonies from doctors and patients who experienced smallpox to understand the impact of the disease on the human body. They can analyze symptoms, mortality rates, and long-term effects of the disease.
3. The types of disease: Historians can research historical records and scientific literature to identify the types of diseases that spread from Eurasia to the Americas. They can examine descriptions, symptoms, and transmission patterns to categorize and understand these diseases.
However, determining the exact percentage of deaths caused by these Eurasian diseases in the Americas can pose challenges for historians due to several factors, including:
a. Incomplete records: Historical records may not provide a complete account of all deaths caused by these diseases. Many deaths might not have been officially recorded or documented.
b. Lack of accurate population data: Historians need accurate population data for a specific time period to calculate the percentage of deaths accurately. However, population data for the Americas during the time of conquest might be scarce, inconsistent, or unreliable.
c. Attribution of deaths to specific diseases: Different diseases might have contributed to the mortality rate, making it challenging to accurately attribute deaths to specific diseases. Additionally, diseases could have interacted with each other, making it difficult to isolate their individual impacts.
d. Variability of disease impact: The impact of diseases can vary depending on factors such as demographics, geography, and local immunity. Different regions, populations, or time periods might have experienced different mortality rates, making it challenging to determine an overall percentage.
Therefore, while historians can provide approximate estimates, determining the precise percentage of deaths caused by Eurasian diseases in the Americas would likely be challenging without comprehensive and accurate historical data.