Answer to Question #324285 in History for Lulu

Question

Describe the social political and economic practices of the indigenous peoples in the Americas up to 1492

Answer 1

Between 1492 and 1600, 90% of the indigenous populations in the Americas had died. That means about 55 million people perished because of violence and never-before-seen pathogens like smallpox, measles, and influenza. Indigenous Americas hunted for furs, using guns, and decimated the local wildlife. Often they just skinned the animals and left the meat to rot. This caused a shortage of food and fur for the natives in the area. The introduction of guns also caused some groups to become more powerful and more aggressive.