Ancient history

What effect did the Columbian Exchange have on Native American population?

Devastating impact

The Columbian Exchange had a devastating impact on Native American population. The diseases that the Europeans brought with them, such as smallpox, measles, and influenza, to which the Native Americans had no immunity, spread rapidly and killed millions of people. In some areas, the population decline was as high as 90%. This population decline had a profound impact on Native American societies, leading to social and economic disruption, political instability, and cultural loss.