Week 7: Slide (12-13) Problems of number

Question 1

Who calculated the native population in North America to be very low at the time of European contact?

A) Alfred Crosby
B) Henry Dobyns
C) Jared Diamond
D) James Mooney

Answer 1

D

Question 2

According to James Mooney’s calculations in 1910, what was the estimated native population in North America at the time of contact?

A) 1.15 million
B) 5 million
C) 10 million
D) 20 million

Answer 2

A

Question 3

True or False: According to the Classical Interpretation, the native population in North America was seen as failing in the “go forth and multiply” department.

Answer 3

True
Explanation: This interpretation suggested that the native population was very low and not growing significantly.

Question 4

How did the Classical Interpretation of Indigenous population size compare to Europe’s population at the time of contact?

Answer 4

The Classical Interpretation suggested the indigenous population in North America was very low (1.15 million) compared to Europe’s 75-80 million.

Question 5

What was the impact of James Mooney’s low population estimate on perceptions of Native Americans in early anthropological studies?

Answer 5

Mooney’s low estimate reinforced the idea that Native Americans were few in number and less successful in terms of population growth, affecting early anthropological views of indigenous societies.

Question 6

Match the concept with its description:

1. Columbian Exchange
2. Pristine Myth
3. James Mooney
4. Alfred Crosby
5. Ecological Imperialism

A) Author who developed theories on the environmental impact of European expansion, including the concept of the Columbian Exchange.

B) The idea that the Americas were largely “empty” and untouched by humans before European arrival.

C) The widespread exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and ideas between the Americas and the rest of the world after 1492.

D) Anthropologist who estimated a low indigenous population in North America at the time of European contact.

E) Theory explaining how European plants, animals, and diseases altered ecosystems in colonized regions.

Answer 6

1 — C
2 — B
3 — D
4 — A
5 — E

Question 7

Who published the article “Estimating Aboriginal American Population” in 1966?

A) James Mooney
B) Alfred Crosby
C) Henry F. Dobyns
D) Jared Diamond

Answer 7

C) Henry F. Dobyns

Question 8

What was the major conclusion of Henry F. Dobyns regarding the impact of infectious diseases on indigenous populations?

Answer 8

Dobyns concluded that infectious diseases had an enormous, truly massive impact on reducing indigenous populations.

Question 9

True or False

Henry F. Dobyns’ work on estimating aboriginal populations suggested a minimal impact of diseases on indigenous populations.

Answer 9

False. Dobyns argued that diseases had a massive impact on indigenous populations.

Question 10

Fill-in-the-Blank

Question: Henry F. Dobyns’ article “Estimating Aboriginal American Population” published in 1966 was said to have “______ a crater in anthropology.”

Answer 10

left

Question 11

According to Dobyns, which factor was crucial in the significant reduction of indigenous populations?

A) European agriculture
B) Warfare
C) Infectious diseases
D) Deforestation

Answer 11

C

Question 12

How did Henry F. Dobyns’ interpretation of population loss differ from the classical interpretation by James Mooney?

Answer 12

Dobyns argued that infectious diseases had a massive impact on reducing indigenous populations, while Mooney estimated lower indigenous populations without attributing as much impact to diseases.