Why were 95% of the indigenous population of what is now North and South America killed off?
First, I don’t think you can say that 95% of the indigenous population of North and South America was killed off. What would be the time frame? Are you comparing the indian population from 150 years ago to today’s population? If this question is coming from a liberal Middle School or High School teacher, tell him his question is extremely biased and misleading. For example, a great percentage of the current population of Bolivia is all or part “indigenous”. In other countries like Brazil, indigenous people married European settlers many generations ago, so perhaps they are no longer counted as “indigenous”. Many indigenous peoples died due to exposure to disease from contact with Europeans who unintentionally infected them. Others died in wars, between indian tribes, or against settlers who arrived from Europe. Since many indigenous people were driven off their land, there was less stability, and less reason to need or want a large family. Also, hardships increased infant mortality rat
