How Mosquitoes Helped Shape the Course of Human History

Smithsonian ^ | August 5, 2019 | Emily Toomey

[C19fan]

Fifty-two billion people—almost half of the cumulative human population—are thought to have perished at the hands of a creature no bigger than a fingernail: the mosquito. In his new book The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator, historian Timothy Winegard exposes this insect as not merely an itchy pest, but a force of nature that has dictated the outcome of significant events throughout human history. From ancient Athens to World War II, Winegard highlights key moments when mosquito-borne diseases caused militaries to crumble, great leaders to fall ill, and populations to be left vulnerable to invasion.

In addition to addressing the mosquito’s pivotal role in battle, Winegard reveals some uglier effects of its diseases, such as how malarial resistance contributed to the rise of the African slave trade, and the concept of biological warfare.

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

Napoleon needed money. Soldiers sent to America got diseases and died. You could say the mosquito was largely responsible for the Louisiana Sale (Louisiana Purchase from our point of view).

[z3n]

How terrible. If they breed in the bilges then sailors would be right above ground zero for mosquitos attacks constantly, and no where to run!

[vetvetdoug]

The last cases of American malaria within the US was in Mississippi. There have been pockets of malaria show up in areas where there were veterans returning from overseas.