The Rest Is History 147. Disease, the New World and modern pandemics
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Feb 4, 2022 
Professor Kyle Harper, an expert on the history of disease from the University of Oklahoma, joins for a deep dive into the catastrophic effects of disease during colonial expansion. He discusses how the Columbian Exchange led to the demographic collapse of indigenous populations due to diseases like smallpox. Harper also examines the influence of illness on European colonization efforts and the evolution of public health responses, drawing parallels between past pandemics and today's global health crises.
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Columbian Exchange's Impact
- The Columbian Exchange was a turning point, but the death toll might be lower than initially thought, closer to 40 million than 100 million.
- Multiple factors contributed to this, including disease, agricultural collapse, and war.
Tuberculosis Transmission
- Tuberculosis existed in the New World before Columbus, likely transmitted by seals.
- European strains later outcompeted the native New World tuberculosis.
Shifting Views on Disease
- People began to shift away from viewing diseases as divine punishment around the 18th century.
- This shift coincided with a rise in empirical science and optimism about disease prevention.