When early Spanish explorers reached what is now the southwestern United States, they encountered a number of flourishing agricultural centers. When the French arrived a century later, they found many of those villages deserted. Which of the following factors played the biggest role in that change? a.) Native Americans were wiped out by European diseases like smallpox, which had been introduced by the Spanish explorers. b.) Native Americans had moved east so they could trade with other European settlers for advanced tools and weaponry. c.) Native Americans had been captured by the Spanish and relocated to Mexico under the terms of encomiendas. d.) The reports from early explorers were vastly exaggerated; most agricultural centers had already been long abandoned.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct answer: a.) Native Americans were wiped out by European diseases like smallpox, which had been introduced by the Spanish explorers.
Explanation (300 words):
When early Spanish explorers arrived in the southwestern region of what is now the United States during the 16th century, they encountered well-established Native American communities such as the Pueblo peoples. These communities had developed sophisticated agricultural systems, including irrigation networks, and lived in large, stable villages. The Spanish marveled at the thriving societies and even relied on them for food, shelter, and knowledge of the land.
However, by the time the French arrived in the same region about a century later, many of these once-flourishing villages were abandoned or greatly diminished. The most significant reason for this dramatic decline was the devastating impact of European diseases, particularly smallpox, measles, and influenza, which had been unintentionally introduced by Spanish explorers and colonists.
Native American populations had no prior exposure or immunity to these foreign diseases. As a result, mortality rates were catastrophic—often wiping out entire communities. Historians estimate that in some areas, up to 90% of the indigenous population died from these infections. These pandemics disrupted every aspect of Native American life: agriculture collapsed, social structures disintegrated, and survivors often fled or regrouped in different areas for survival.
Option (a) is correct because it reflects the well-documented historical pattern of epidemic disease serving as the leading cause of Native population decline after European contact.
Other options, such as (b) and (c), are less accurate. While there was some relocation and cultural exchange, these were minor compared to the scale of the disease impact. Option (d) is incorrect, as archaeological evidence confirms that large settlements did exist before European contact.
In conclusion, disease—particularly smallpox—introduced by the Spanish played the biggest role in depopulating Native American villages, leading to the abandoned settlements later found by the French.