Ruqayyah Snyder
Smallpox is an often fatal viral infectious disease that has had a major impact on world history. The disease has infected hundreds of millions of people and killed tens of millions. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980, but before that, it killed about 30% of those infected, or three out of every 10 people. It was particularly deadly among indigenous populations in the Americas and Australia, where it was non-native and to which these populations had no resistance. In Australia, the disease was introduced by European settlement and spread across the country, resulting in shocking death rates. The exact number of people who died from smallpox in Australia is unknown, but it is estimated that the disease killed at least half of the local Aboriginal population in the Sydney area, with some estimates reaching 80%.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first outbreak | April 1789 |
| Total deaths | Tens of millions |
| Percentage of deaths | 30% |
| Number of Aboriginal deaths in Sydney | 50% |
| Number of colonist deaths | 100 |
| Date of last case in Australia | First World War |
| Date of eradication | 1980 |
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What You'll Learn
Smallpox killed up to 70% of First Nations peoples
Smallpox was a deadly and infectious disease that ravaged communities in Australia, particularly among First Nations peoples. The disease, which had a significant impact on the world, was introduced to Australia by foreign contact, and the local First Nations peoples bore the brunt of its devastation.
Before the arrival of smallpox in Australia, the Aboriginal people had lived with various infectious diseases for thousands of years and had developed their own medicines and strategies to combat them. However, they had never been exposed to smallpox, leaving them vulnerable when the disease reached their shores. Smallpox was a highly contagious disease that could be transmitted through close contact or the exchange of bodily fluids. It caused high fevers, chills, headaches, prostration, backaches, vomiting, and a telltale skin rash with large pustules that often left scars, especially on the face, palms, and soles of the feet.
The first recorded outbreak of smallpox in Australia occurred in April 1789, about 16 months after the arrival of the First Fleet of British settlers. This outbreak devastated the Aboriginal population in the Sydney region, with some reports indicating that up to half of those living around Sydney Cove died during this initial outbreak. The disease spread rapidly, and subsequent outbreaks occurred in the 1830s and 1860s, affecting Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and along the Murray-Darling Basin. The exact number of deaths among First Nations peoples is unknown, but it is estimated that up to 70% of them perished from the disease.
The impact of smallpox extended beyond the high death toll. The disease affected entire generations of First Nations peoples, leaving survivors without family or community leaders. The psychological trauma was profound, and the loss of cultural knowledge and connections exacerbated the devastation caused by the disease. The introduction of smallpox and other foreign diseases also contributed to the colonization and conquest of Australia, as indigenous populations were severely reduced and unable to mount effective resistance.
The origins of the smallpox outbreak in Australia are still debated, with theories suggesting transmission by French explorers, British settlers, or Makassan traders from Indonesia. Regardless of its source, the introduction of smallpox to Australia had a devastating and lasting impact on First Nations peoples, highlighting the vulnerability of indigenous communities to foreign diseases and the tragic consequences of colonization.
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The epidemic began in 1789
Smallpox was a deadly and infectious disease that ravaged Britain in the eighteenth century. It had a major impact on world history, particularly on indigenous populations in the Americas and Australia. The disease was often fatal, killing about 30% of recognised cases. Those who survived were often left with blindness and scarring.
Governor Arthur Phillip said that about half of the Aboriginal people living around Sydney Cove died during the outbreak. Some estimates are even higher, while others argue the figure was more like 30%. The epidemic also began a change in how Aboriginal people were seen by Europeans. Surgeon George Bouchier Worgan had written that the local Eora Aboriginals "seemingly enjoy uninterrupted Health, and live to a great Age". However, after the epidemic, the British saw the Aboriginal people as vulnerable to disease.
The origins of the epidemic are still contested. The British blamed French explorers, but historians debate whether it was introduced by Makassan trepangers in northern Australia or the British themselves. The British had brought 'variolous matter' with them to use for inoculation. However, no British settlers contracted the disease, as they had either survived it before and become immune or been inoculated.
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The disease was introduced by Makassan mariners
Smallpox was a deadly viral disease that infected hundreds of millions of people worldwide. It is believed that the disease was introduced to Australia by Makassan mariners, who travelled from Makassar (modern-day Indonesia) to northern Australia as early as the 1500s. Evidence suggests that the Makassans had extensive contact with the indigenous people of Australia, particularly the Yolngu, influencing their culture and society.
Makassan traders, primarily from Makassar and southern Sulawesi, regularly visited northern Australia, an area they called 'Marege', to gather trepang (sea cucumbers). This trade brought them into contact with local Aboriginal communities, with whom they exchanged goods and collaborated. The Makassans introduced new technologies and items such as metal tools, calico, tobacco, and smoking pipes, and left a lasting impact on the Yolngu people's way of life.
The introduction of smallpox by the Makassan mariners is a theory that has been proposed and debated by historians. While some historians, like C. C. Macknight, support the idea that the disease was unknowingly brought to Australia by the Makassan visitors, others remain uncertain. The timeline of the outbreak in 1789 and the high population density required for smallpox to spread have been used as arguments against this theory.
The impact of smallpox on Australia's First Nations populations was devastating. Without any prior exposure or resistance to the disease, up to 70% of the indigenous people are estimated to have perished. The disease spread alongside European settlement, bringing shocking death rates and leaving survivors without family or community leaders. The introduction of smallpox and other diseases during this period of initial foreign contact contributed to the conquest and colonisation of Australia.
While the question of how smallpox was introduced to Australia remains unresolved, with theories implicating the British First Fleet, French explorers, and Makassan traders, it is clear that the disease had a profound and tragic impact on the indigenous populations. The debate surrounding the origin of the outbreak is influenced by the "History Wars", highlighting the injustices and disadvantages faced by Aboriginal communities in Australia's colonial history.
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It caused a huge number of deaths
Smallpox was a highly contagious and often fatal disease that ravaged Australia's Aboriginal communities. The disease, which had a major impact on world history, caused a huge number of deaths among indigenous populations in regions where it was previously non-native, such as Australia.
The first recorded outbreak in Australia occurred in April 1789, about 16 months after the arrival of the First Fleet of British settlers. This outbreak devastated the Aboriginal population in the Sydney area, with some estimates claiming that it killed around half of those infected. Governor Arthur Phillip reported that about 50% of the Aboriginal people living around Sydney Cove died during the outbreak, while other estimates have suggested an even higher death toll. The impact of the disease was exacerbated by the fact that the Aboriginal people had never been exposed to smallpox before, leaving them with no immunity or effective treatments.
The exact number of deaths caused by the 1789 outbreak is difficult to determine, but it is clear that the death toll was significant. The disease spread rapidly, infecting entire generations of the First Nations population. The survivors were often left traumatised, without family or community leaders, and with physical scars from the disease. This outbreak was followed by further smallpox epidemics in Australia, including in the 1830s and the 1860s, which continued to cause high numbers of deaths among Aboriginal communities.
Smallpox was one of the most deadly diseases to affect humanity, killing tens of millions of people worldwide. It is estimated that about 30% of people infected with smallpox died from the disease, making it a severe and lethal infection. The development of a vaccine by Edward Jenner in 1796 played a crucial role in controlling the disease and saving millions of lives. However, the disease continued to spread in Australia until the last case was identified during World War I, and it was only eradicated globally in 1977 by the World Health Organization.
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The last case was identified during WWI
Smallpox was a deadly and infectious disease that ravaged Australia, particularly among the First Nations and Aboriginal populations. The disease was introduced to Australia by European settlers, and it is estimated that it killed around 30% of those infected. The first outbreak occurred in April 1789, about 16 months after the arrival of the First Fleet, and it devastated the Aboriginal population in the Sydney region. Governor Arthur Phillip reported that approximately half of the Aboriginal people living around Sydney Cove died during this outbreak, with some estimates placing the figure even higher.
The origins of the 1789 smallpox epidemic are still contested, with several theories proposed. One theory suggests that it was brought by the First Fleet of British settlers who arrived in January 1788, either deliberately or accidentally. Another theory posits that it was introduced by Makassan mariners visiting Arnhem Land, supported by C.C. Macknight and Butlin. A third hypothesis blames French explorers, an idea that was initially favoured by the British but has since been questioned due to timeline inconsistencies.
While the British and European settlers had some resistance to smallpox due to prior exposure, the local First Nations and Aboriginal peoples had no natural immunity to the disease. As a result, they were severely affected by the outbreaks, with entire generations wiped out and survivors left without family or community leaders. The psychological impact of the disease was also profound, with Aboriginal communities traumatized by the sudden loss of life and the fear of the unknown.
The last case of smallpox in Australia was identified during World War I. The disease was finally eradicated worldwide in 1980, thanks to the development of vaccines. The efforts to eliminate smallpox are considered one of the greatest achievements in public health, with Australian Professor Frank Fenner chairing the successful World Health Organization (WHO) agency.
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Frequently asked questions
It is hard to determine the exact number of people who died from smallpox in Australia, but it is estimated that the disease killed around 30% of recognised cases, or three out of every 10 people who caught it.
The 1789 smallpox outbreak in Sydney devastated the Aboriginal population, with some estimates placing the death toll at 50% of the local Aboriginal people living in the Sydney area. Other estimates place the figure at 30%.
Yes, there were several other smallpox outbreaks in Australia, including in the 1830s, 1860s, and early 20th century.
Smallpox had a devastating impact on Indigenous Australians, with entire generations of First Nations peoples affected. The disease left many survivors without family or community leaders, and those who survived were often scarred or blinded.
The origins of the 1789 smallpox epidemic in Australia are still contested. Some theories suggest that it was introduced by the British First Fleet, Makassan mariners, or French explorers. However, the question of how smallpox first reached Australia remains unresolved.
