Episode 2: Smallpox: The Disease That Built Empires and Toppled Civilizations cover art

Episode 2: Smallpox: The Disease That Built Empires and Toppled Civilizations

Episode 2: Smallpox: The Disease That Built Empires and Toppled Civilizations

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 Alex Calder examines how smallpox functioned as an unintentional biological weapon that facilitated European colonization of the Americas by killing up to 95% of indigenous populations who lacked immunity. The episode traces how this catastrophic demographic collapse created power vacuums that allowed small groups of European colonizers to establish footholds against previously mighty civilizations while reshaping environments through ecological changes. Alex explores the development of variolation practices across cultures before examining Edward Jenner's cowpox experiments that led to vaccination—humanity's first intentional victory against a deadly disease. The story culminates with smallpox becoming the only human disease ever deliberately eradicated through global cooperation, showing how this virus both enabled imperial conquests through uneven immunity and ultimately inspired one of medicine's greatest achievements.

What listeners say about Episode 2: Smallpox: The Disease That Built Empires and Toppled Civilizations

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.