Final answer:
Zinn refers to estimates that suggest a large Indigenous population in the Western Hemisphere of about seventy-five million at the time of Columbus's arrival. These figures support conclusions that challenge past notions of indigenous population density and underscore the impact of European contact.
Step-by-step explanation:
The demographic figures that Zinn may be referring to regarding Columbus support conclusions that demonstrate significant populations in the Western Hemisphere prior to European contact. When Columbus first encountered the Western hemisphere in 1492, it was home to millions, with estimates of the Indigenous population of the entire Western Hemisphere around seventy-five million. These figures challenge the notion of 'inferior' indigenous populations and their ability to sustain large, dense populations comparable to Europeans. It also emphasizes the substantial impact European contact had on these indigenous populations.
The wide variation in population estimates is influenced by various factors, including the ideological viewpoints of the authors, their cultures of origin, and the time periods in which they wrote their accounts. Historians and demographers have gradually moved away from lower estimates that depicted Native American societies as small and sparse, acknowledging the existence of advanced and diverse societies.
The recognition of comparable population sizes between Europe, Africa, and the Americas speaks volumes of the societal complexities and advancements of pre-contact civilizations. This demographic understanding is crucial for framing discussions about the implications of European colonization and the subsequent dramatic decline in the indigenous population due to diseases, war, and other factors.