Question

Why was smallpox so devastating to the indigenous people of North and South America?

Answer 1

Smallpox was devasting to the natives because they have never been exposed to the disease brought by the people from the new world. Furthermore, the natives didn't have the medicine nor immunity to combat the disease.

Answer 2

It was so devastating as the indigenous didn't have antibodies to defend against the virus. They had not been exposed to it for 100s of years building up immunity like their European counterparts.