In Reply to: Re: Statement from American Society for Microbiology: posted by TheHappyBurgermeister on November 18, 2024 at 11:12:33
After a response that, yes, indigenous Canadians were hit by small pox plagues similar to those in the US, I asked if there are assertions that the plagues were intentional:
Allegations of Deliberate Spread:
Blankets Infused with Smallpox:
There are documented cases in North America, particularly during the 18th century, of British forces using smallpox-infected blankets to target Indigenous populations.
The most infamous example occurred during the Pontiac’s War (1763) in what is now the United States. British officers discussed, and possibly executed, plans to distribute infected blankets to Indigenous allies of Pontiac.
Some historians speculate that similar tactics may have been used in Canada, though direct evidence is scarce.
1862 British Columbia Epidemic:
During the smallpox epidemic in British Columbia, allegations arose that settlers and colonial officials failed to isolate infected individuals or provide vaccines to Indigenous communities, despite knowing the risks.
Some accounts suggest that colonial authorities actively expelled sick Indigenous people from urban centers like Victoria, effectively spreading the disease back to their communities. This has been interpreted by some as deliberate negligence or even intentional harm.
Historical and Scholarly Debate:
While some documented cases of deliberate infection exist, other claims are less substantiated and often based on oral histories, anecdotal evidence, or circumstantial interpretations of colonial actions. Scholars generally agree that regardless of intent:
The colonial authorities often acted with disregard for Indigenous well-being, exacerbating outbreaks through negligence.
Colonial policies that displaced Indigenous peoples and concentrated them in unsanitary conditions contributed to the spread of disease.
Modern Perspectives:
The intentional spread of smallpox is often discussed as part of the broader framework of colonialism and genocide. Some Indigenous leaders and scholars argue that the combination of deliberate actions, systemic neglect, and the withholding of vaccines amounted to genocidal practices under international definitions. However, historical records of direct intent to spread smallpox in Canada are limited compared to those in the United States.
What the hell? The microbiology lady was trying as hard as she could to assert we intentionally spread the plague and came up with one historical record of direct intent. How can historical records of direct intent in Canada be limited, compare to one record in the US?