Influx of disease in the Caribbean

The first European contact in 1492 started an influx of communicable diseases into the Caribbean. Diseases originating in the Old World (Afro-Eurasia) came to the New World (the Americas) for the first time, resulting in demographic and sociopolitical changes due to the Columbian Exchange from the late 15th century onwards. While some of the indigenous died of disease, others died of harsh working conditions. These working conditions were enforced because of the sugar cane in the area.