Deadly Diseases: Smallpox in the Americas — Reading Comprehension

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Grades

Standards

D2.HIS.1.3-5
D2.HIS.2.3-5
D2.HIS.14.3-5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

About This Reader

This engaging U.S. history reading passage explores how smallpox, a deadly disease, changed the Americas during Colonial times. Students will learn about the arrival of Europeans, the spread of smallpox through the Columbian Exchange, and its impact on Native American communities. The passage uses clear cause-and-effect structure, simple language, and includes a glossary of key terms to build vocabulary. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, writing prompts, and graphic organizers to encourage comprehension and historical thinking. The content is aligned with C3 Framework standards and Common Core ELA standards, supporting students’ historical understanding and literacy skills. A Spanish translation is also provided for accessibility, along with a read aloud audio. This resource is ideal for building foundational knowledge of U.S. history, the Columbian Exchange, and the role of disease in shaping societies.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Smallpox was a deadly disease that changed life in the Americas forever. When European explorers and settlers arrived in the late 1400s and early 1500s, they brought something with them that no one could see: new germs. These germs caused illnesses that Native Americans had never faced before.

Smallpox spread quickly from person to person. People caught the virus by touching sick people or things they had used. The disease caused high fevers, rashes, and sometimes even death. Native Americans did not have any way to fight smallpox because their bodies had never seen this sickness before. This is called having no immunity.

As more Europeans arrived, smallpox moved from one village to the next. Sometimes, whole communities got sick at the same time. The disease made it hard for Native Americans to hunt, farm, and take care of their families. Leaders and elders, who held important knowledge, were often lost. This made it even harder for the people to recover.

The spread of smallpox was part of the Columbian Exchange. This was the movement of people, animals, plants, and diseases between Europe and the Americas. Smallpox was much more deadly to Native Americans than to Europeans. In some places, whole villages disappeared.

Native Americans showed great bravery during this hard time. Some people helped care for the sick, even when it was dangerous. Others tried new ways to heal and protect their families. Over time, survivors passed on stories of what happened. This helped later generations remember and learn.

European settlers also learned about the power of diseases. They saw how sickness changed the land and the people. Sometimes, they wrote about what they saw. One English colonist wrote, "Within a short time, a great sickness swept through the land." These words remind us how deeply smallpox changed life in the Americas.

Today, there is a vaccine that can prevent smallpox. This discovery helped save many lives around the world. The story of smallpox in the Americas teaches us how important it is to understand and fight diseases together.

Interesting Fact: Smallpox was the first disease ever wiped out from the whole world by using vaccines.

What disease changed life in the Americas?

SmallpoxChickenpoxMeaslesFlu

Who brought smallpox to the Americas?

European explorersNative AmericansAsian tradersAfrican farmers

What helped stop smallpox later?

VaccineWashing handsMoving awayEating plants

Why was smallpox worse for Native Americans?

No immunityNo foodNo homesNo shoes

What is the Columbian Exchange?

Movement of people, plants, and diseasesA trade of goldA new languageA famous ship

How did Native Americans show bravery?