During the conquest of Mexico,outbreaks played an important role that favored the Spaniards.There were several outbreaks of smallpox that killed thousands of natives.Smallpox was introduced into America by the Europeans.Why were the natives particularly afflicted by smallpox outbreaks?
A) Among natives, the proportion of susceptibles was higher.
B) Among Spaniards, the proportion of immunes was extremely low.
C) Spaniards had the cure for smallpox.
D) Natives had a gene that made them more prone to die from smallpox.
E) Spaniards were protected from smallpox because they had armors.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Because natives were not introduced to the smallpox virus until after the Spaniards arrived,all of them were susceptibles.In a population with a higher proportion of susceptibles,outbreaks can initiate and spread easily.Spaniards had a better balance between susceptibles and immunes; therefore the likelihood of an outbreak happening among them was much lower.

During the Conquest of Mexico,outbreaks Played an Important Role That