Over the millennia, various diseases have wrecked havoc upon the cultures of the world. Two of the most important, and devastating, were the Black Death and Small Pox. Many people assume the black plague (as it is also known) was only known in Europe, of which it killed over 60% of the population in the Middle Ages and the renaissance. It is present in any modern or ancient town, where humans live in close contact with one another. For example, in the 1800 and 1900's, the plague swept through many Asian nations. Small Pox, a similar disease to the Black Death in its causes and effects, has been around for well over 12 millennia, deriving around 10000 B.C. It is believed in Europe alone, over 400,000 people were killed each year by Small Pox from 1500-1800. Overall, it is believed to have killed over 300 million people, mainly due to it's incredible ability to spread through humans.
World War 2
During World War II, there were a combined 60 million casualties world wide. Russia alone suffered over 20 million. Others include; U.S.A., Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Poland, England, Yugoslavia, China, and Canada.
Reign of Mao Zedong in China
The Red Guards, under the control of Mao Zedong, caused upwards of 50 million casualties in the 1950's and 60's through political repression and The Great Leap Forward, an ambitious plan to turn China's mainland into a communist country.
Mongol Conquests
The Mongolian conquests under Genghis Khan in the 1500's paved a path of destruction throughout Asia and Eastern Europe. Its Estimated that by the end of his reign, Over 60 million people worldwide had been affected. (This includes deaths by disease and famine) The percentage of worldwide population to casualties makes this event the highest casualty rate of all time.
World War I (Without Spanish Flu deaths)
During World War I, its estimated 40-50 million people lost their lives through war. If you include the deaths caused by diseases that spread in close living conditions, the total number of deaths would rise to 100 million +. If you include this, it is the single greatest loss of life in human history.
An Shu Rebellion
The An Shu Rebellion took place around 750 A.D., during the Tang Dynasty of China. A commander, An Lushan, was given control of several hundred thousand garrisoned troops in the northern provinces of China. Through revolt, famine, and disease, its estimated that over 35 million people were lost to the rebellion.
Nazi Germany/Holocaust
During the Nazi Germany era, and the reign of Hitler, millions of people lost their lives. Specifically, during the holocaust of the Jewish people in Europe (Though other groups were prosecuted as well) over 21 million people were killed in concentration camps. This figure does not include the casualties lost through war (See World War II).
Atlantic Slave Trade
Over the course of three and a half centuries, millions of African people were taken from their homes and shipped off to the New World. Though common belief states the Europeans captured these people, most commonly rivaling African tribes would attempt to sell each other off to the slave merchants. Including African casualties in Africa, en route to the Americas, and through slave labor, estimations of the death toll range from 5 million to upwards of 60 million. (Figure does not include Native American death toll, See Conquest of the Native Americans)
Russia under Stalin Joseph
Stalin was the communist party leader and dictator of Russia from 1922-1953 at his death. By sacrificing millions of Russian lives, he helped create one of two major superpowers after the Second World War; status which lasted for well over 40 years. Through his “programs”, mainly industrialization and collectivization, as well as harsh political repression, estimates of the death toll have reached 50 million people.
Conquest of the Ming Dynasty
At the turn of the 18th century, the Manchu people, originating from Manchuria (North Eastern China), came down from the North and conquered the Ming Dynasty. For over 2 centuries, they ruled over China, creating what is known as the Qing Dynasty. The estimates for the death toll average to around 25 million people.
Conquest of the Native Americans
The indigenous peoples of the Americas, also known as Native Americans, lived isolated
from the rest of the world for millennia. It is believed they traveled over a land bridge near the Bering Strait, although the theory is still contested. During the “conquests” of the New World, when the European nations colonized North and South America, over 90% of the Native American populations were destroyed by small pox and other diseases alone. Over 20 million people were killed by the end of the colonization period
