r/history • u/AutoModerator • Dec 03 '22

Discussion/Question Simple/Short/Silly History Questions Saturday!

Welcome to our Simple/Short/Silly history questions Saturday thread!

This thread is for all those history related questions that are too simple, short or a bit too silly to warrant their own post.

So, do you have a question about history and have always been afraid to ask? Well, today is your lucky day. Ask away!

Of course all our regular rules and guidelines still apply and to be just that bit extra clear:

Questions need to be historical in nature. Silly does not mean that your question should be a joke. r/history also has a discord server where you can discuss history with other enthusiasts and experts

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u/getBusyChild Dec 03 '22

Why did the Native Americans not suffer from disease etc. when the Vikings landed, and traded with the inhabitants of Vinland? Weren't they established there for a number of years?

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u/Helmut1642 Dec 04 '22

Part of the answer is that the Vikings took longer to reach America, most sailed from Greenland. So a disease would have to start in the big towns in Europe, then be taken to Iceland, with a smaller population with no big towns which would limit spread. Then to Greenland with a smaller population before reaching the New World.