How did historian Alfred Crosby attention to smallpox change our understanding of history?

Historian Alfred Crosby's focus on smallpox highlighted the profound impact of disease on historical events, particularly in the context of European colonization and the encounters between indigenous populations and colonizers. By emphasizing the role of smallpox in decimating Native American communities, he underscored how epidemics shaped demographic shifts, social structures, and power dynamics. This perspective encouraged historians to consider biological factors alongside political and economic ones, thereby enriching the narrative of history and illustrating the interconnectedness of health and societal change.