There is data suggesting that by the beginning of the 16th century, approximately 18 million Native Americans lived in North America. By 1900, the indigenous population had fallen to approximately 250,000 people. The common belief is that this rapid population decline was due to disease that Europeans brought with them as they migrated to the “new world.” Historian Alfred W. Crosby writes that "it is highly probable that epidemic disease is the most deadly cause, especially when it manifests itself in epidemics on virgin soils." Many reports and trials focus on the disease as the leading cause of death in the indigenous population, but few examine how European and indigenous populations responded to the disease. The issues discussed in this report are based on material located in chapter five of the textbook Major Problems in Atlantic History edited by Alison F. Games and Adam Rothman. The documents are Two Governors Describe the Smallpox Epidemic in New England, 1633-1634, and Indians Respond to Epidemics in New France, 1637, 1640. Questions addressed in this report include: How did Europeans interpret disease among the indigenous population, and how did they react to it? How did Native Americans react to European intervention to combat disease? Were Europeans aware that they had brought this disease with them to the “New World”? The European view of epidemics against indigenous peoples was seen as an act of God trying to purge the world of “non-Christian” peoples. Europeans only acted according to the instructions of their authority, the Catholic Church. All European action was heavily regulated by the Church and is therefore reflected in their treatment of the sick. and Mary Quarterly 33.2 (1976): 289-299. “Indians respond to epidemics in New France, 1637, 1640.” In Alison F. Games and Adam Rothman (eds.), Major Problems in Atlantic History: Documents and Essays. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2008. pp. 129-133. Sioui, Georges E.. For an Amerindian autohistory: Essay on the foundations of a social ethics Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1992. Starna, William A.. "The biological encounter: illness and the ideological domain", American Indian Quarterly 16.4 (1992): 511-519. Winthrop, John. “Two Governors Describe the New England Smallpox Epidemic, 1633-1634.” In Alison F. Games and Adam Rothman (eds.), Major Issues in Atlantic History: Papers and Essays Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2008. pp. 127-128.