The British First Fleet may have introduced smallpox to Australia, resulting in the deaths of millions of Indigenous people.
Claims
The British First Fleet may have introduced smallpox to Australia, resulting in the deaths of millions of Indigenous people.
Parent: ColonialismEntity: British First FleetImpact: negativeDate: Jul 18, 2026Target: The introduction of smallpox by the British First Fleet and its impact on Indigenous populations
Smallpox was introduced to Australia by British colonists, leading to a significant increase in mortality among Indigenous populations.
Parent: HealthcareEntity: SmallpoxImpact: negativeDate: Jul 18, 2026Target: The role of smallpox in the mortality of Indigenous Australians
Recent studies suggest that the Indigenous population of Australia was significantly larger than previously believed.
Parent: HistoryEntity: Indigenous Australian populationImpact: mixedDate: Jul 18, 2026Target: The estimated size of the Indigenous Australian population before European colonization
Source posts
“British ‘First Fleet’ brought smallpox to Australia — and may have killed millions” https://www.science.org/content/article/british-first-fleet-brought-smallpox-australia-and-may-have-killed-millions
“Two papers pin the deadly disease’s introduction on British colonists and suggest the continent held far more people than previously believed.”
8 boosts · 0 favs · 0 replies · Jul 18, 2026
British ‘First Fleet’ brought smallpox to Australia—and may have killed millions
Two papers pin the deadly disease’s introduction on British colonists and suggest the continent held far more people than previously believed
https://www.science.org/content/article/british-first-fleet-brought-smallpox-australia-and-may-have-killed-millions
5 boosts · 0 favs · 0 replies · Jul 18, 2026