THE NATIVE VILLAGE THAT HID HERNANDO DE SOTO’S FIRST CAMP IN AMERICA

It also introduced new diseases, animals, technologies, and patterns of violence into Native societies.

The full demographic consequences are difficult to measure because the later epidemic history of the Southeast involved many factors.

Still, the arrival of Europeans represented a profound disruption.

THE NATIVE WORLD DID NOT END IN 1540

It is important not to describe de Soto’s arrival as if it instantly destroyed the Southeast.

Native societies continued.

Communities rebuilt.

Political systems changed.