The main reason for the dramatic decline of the Indian population of Hispaniola from 1492 to 1542 was the
A) Spanish decision forcibly to move the Indians to South America.
B) inhumanity of the Spanish slave system.
C) introduction of European diseases onto the island.
D) psychological devastation caused by systematic destruction of traditional Indian culture.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The introduction of European diseases, for which the Indians had no immunity, is widely regarded as the primary reason for the dramatic decline of the Indian population of Hispaniola from 1492 to 1542. It is estimated that up to 90% of the Indian population died from diseases like smallpox and measles. The Spanish slave system and destruction of traditional Indian culture were also major factors, but they did not have the same devastating impact on the population as the diseases. There is no evidence of the Spanish forcibly moving the Indians to South America as a cause for the decline.

The Main Reason for the Dramatic Decline of the Indian