Which of the following best describes the impact Eurasian diseases had on the New World populations?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Eurasian diseases killed only the elderly.
Eurasian diseases killed only the elderly.

Eurasian diseases weakened both Spanish and Indigenous soldiers.
Eurasian diseases weakened both Spanish and Indigenous soldiers.

Eurasian diseases weakened the major Indigenous empires’ armies.
Eurasian diseases weakened the major Indigenous empires’ armies.

Eurasian diseases disproportionately killed women.
Eurasian diseases disproportionately killed women.

Answer 1

The option that best describes the impact Eurasian diseases had on the New World populations is:

Eurasian diseases weakened the major Indigenous empires’ armies.

This statement captures the significant effect of diseases such as smallpox and influenza on Indigenous populations, which led to a dramatic decline in their numbers and weakened their social and military structures, making them more vulnerable to European colonization.