1. Exploration of the America’s
Facts:
Began with Columbus’s
discovery of San Salvador
Slaves from Africa were
brought to North and
South America
Sickness and disease
came as well

2. Colonization of the America’s
Use the provided map and write the answer (in your opinion) in the blank spaces on your study guide.
a) Which group (or country) proved to be more powerful while colonizing the America’s? Why?
b) Which group (or country) proved to be the least powerful while colonizing the America’s? Why?
c) Which group (or country) was unable to explore more of the America’s?

3. Diseases from the Age of Exploration
Smallpox-A deadly disease that was caused by a virus characterized by fever and rash
For thousands of years, smallpox killed per 100 people it struck
Struck rapidly in Europe and was very deadly
Almost wiped out the Native American population in the America’s when settlers brought it over from Europe.
Native Americans had no resistance to Smallpox

4. Diseases from the Age of Exploration-Continued
Malaria-A mosquito-born infectious disease affecting humans and other animals, caused by a parasitic protozoan and leads to chills and fever
Spread by the number of Africans who had emigrated to the Caribbean
Cortez and his soldiers also brought the disease
In 1492, Columbus and his crew became infected with Malaria
Mosquitoes carrying malaria were able to survive along the coasts of the America’s in ponds, swamps and lakes
The first lasting case of Malaria was in the Jamestown settlement in 1607

5. Diseases from the Age of Exploration-Continued
Measles-A contagious disease caused by a virus and marked by fever and red spots on the skin.
Europeans had built up an
immunity to measles because
of long exposure
2. An abundance of Native
Americans were also killed
because they had no
resistance to measles
3. Measles was spread through
the respiratory system and
was very contagious.

6. Diseases from the Age of Exploration-Continued
Influenza-A very contagious virus with fever, exhaustion, severe aches and pains and inflammation of the respiratory tract.
Mostly commonly called the “Flu”
During the second expedition of Columbus in 1493,
his crew suffered from the flu
This strain may have come from pigs acquired from the
Canary Islands.
Birds could also have been the source
% of Native Americans died because
they had no resistance.
Today’s death rate from the flu is 0.1%

7. Key Terms from Exploration of the America’s
Disease
An abnormal body condition; sickness
Virus
A small, infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of other organisms.
Immunity
Bodily power to resist infection usually resulting from vaccinations.
Resistance
The ability not to be affected by something such as a disease