Taíno meet Columbus; “New World” gets new diseases

AD1492: Taíno meet Columbus; “New World” gets new diseases

NATIVE VOICES

In the Bahamas, the Taíno are 125,000 strong in 1492 when they encounter the crew and the Italian captain of three Spanish ships. Christopher Columbus seeks a shorter sea route to India to help Spain get a foothold in the profitable spice trade. Instead, he lands in what Europeans will call the “New World.” His arrival sets off a fierce rivalry among European powers for colonies and riches, which lasts for centuries and unleashes deadly epidemics on the 30 million Native peoples living in the Americas, who lack any immunity to “Old World” diseases.

Courtesy of Native Voices at Following Link