Social Studies Praxis Practice Test

In the early years of European exploration, how did the Native American population primarily change?

1. It grew, largely as a result of the spread of European crops.

2. It decreased, largely as a result of European military attacks.

3. It decreased, largely as a result of changes in the climate.

4. It decreased, largely as a result of the spread of infectious diseases from Europeans.

The correct answer is: It decreased, largely as a result of the spread of infectious diseases from Europeans.

In the early years of European exploration, the Native American population primarily decreased due to the spread of infectious diseases introduced by Europeans. When Europeans arrived in the Americas, they brought with them various diseases such as smallpox, influenza, and measles, for which Native American populations had no natural immunity. This resulted in devastating epidemics that significantly reduced the Native American population in many areas. The impact of these diseases was catastrophic, leading to high mortality rates among Indigenous communities. In some cases, entire tribes were wiped out, drastically altering demographic landscapes. This decline in population significantly weakened the social structures and cultures of Native American societies, making them more vulnerable to other consequences of European colonization, such as military conflict and displacement. The profound impact of disease was a key factor in the historical narrative of European contact with Native Americans, far overshadowing other factors like climate changes or military confrontations in terms of immediate population effects.