Question

Read the passage from The Florentine Codex.

And [even] before the Spaniards had risen against us, a pestilence first came to be prevalent: the smallpox. It was the month of Tepeilhuitl when it began, and it spread over the people as great destruction. Some it quite covered with blisters on all parts – their faces, their heads, their chests, etc. . . . Entirely covered with blisters, very many people died of them. And very many starved; there was death from hunger, for none could take care of the sick; nothing could be done for them.
–The Florentine Codex, 1579

What conclusion can be drawn from this passage?

The Indigenous population was weakened before Spanish attacks began.
There were fewer deaths by starvation than small pox.
Smallpox may have become a worldwide epidemic.
Starvation could have been limited with better farming techniques.

Answer 1

Indigenous population was weakened before Spanish attacks began.

Justification: the passage states the smallpox epidemic began "even before the Spaniards had risen against us" and caused widespread death and starvation, indicating the population was already severely weakened prior to Spanish actions.