Skip to main content

The missing plague that could have changed history

11,639,593 Views

3,450 Questions Answered

Best of Web

Let’s Begin…

When European colonizers came to American shores, the plague they brought with them killed almost 90% of the indigenous population. But why was there no existing plague in the "New World" that affected Europeans?

CGP Grey explains in this video about the missing "Americapox."

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Watch Part 2 of CGP Grey's series on this topic: Animal Domestication
CGP Grey based this video on the book Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
TED-Ed: The Past, Present and Future of Bubonic Plague
History.com: Black Death
American Museum of Natural History: Domestication Timeline

Next Section »

About TED-Ed Best of Web

TED-Ed Best of Web are exceptional, user-created lessons that are carefully selected by volunteer teachers and TED-Ed staff.

Meet The Creators

More from How Things Work