Hey all,
I posted a while back, and haven't posted since because I am finishing up college and so I'm too busy/disorganized to post regularly. But, I thought I'd pop in to ask a question that's been kind of bugging me (not because I have to think about it, but because I can't help but to think of these things).
How fast did smallpox move through the Americas after its introduction by Europeans? How easily could it spread through mainland pre-Columbian America? Most importantly, how long would it take for the native populations to recover from this epidemic and begin to develop immunity?
Basically, I'm curious to know if its possible to have smallpox introduced early to the Americas, and have some populations exposed to it long before they are contacted by Europeans (though presumably they would contract the disease from a population that was contacted by Europeans and Asians). It's doubtful that the disease would, say, cross from Newfoundland to Peru in time for the Inca to be ready for the Conquistadors, but I am curious as to how far it would go. Any thoughts?