In this episode we take a step away from the narrative to discuss how diseases brought to the Americas from overseas impacted the native population. Spoiler: it was very bad. This is one of the first impacts of colonialism that the Inca felt and no matter who you were, it had an impact on you.
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Intro/Exit music by: Kalx aka Kaliran: Andean Lounge, Scream of the Devil
Transition music by: Kike Pinto
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A History of the Inca 
Hello, thanks for your podcast.
I’ve read an article from a medical review that I’ve found on the internet where it is said that smallpox was brought to the continent through tradeslave.
Click to access 9241561106_chp5.pdf
I’ve been reflecting on that as crossing the ocean from Spain at that time meant undergoing a severe quarantine of 8 weeks, instead the crossing from africa was shorter.
Have you any opinion?
Best
David Montero
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Hi David! Thanks for the question and for the donation. I hadn’t heard about that outbreak amongst the slave population on Hispaniola previously. That is very interesting. Regardless if it was brought over through the slave trade though, smallpox was going to rear its ugly head at some point.
As far as the crossing the Atlantic, Portugal actually had claim to Africa and Brazil through the Treaty of Tordesillas so Spanish ships couldn’t really go there too easily. Spanish ships would often stop in the Azores though on their way to and from Spain. This allowed ships to restock supplies in preparation for the longer journey over the Atlantic.
I hope that helps. Thanks again for listening! I’m glad you are enjoying the podcast!
All the best,
Nick
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