Question

which piece of evidence best explains what caused the devastation of jamaicas original population?
a the taino people arrived from south america around the seventh century.
b by 1600 most had been wiped out by disease or harsh treatment.
c the spanish brought in slaves from africa and ruled the island until 1655 when the british seized it.
d there were many slave uprisings and slavery was finally abolished in jamaica in 1838.

Explanation:

The question asks for the cause of the devastation of Jamaica's original population. Option A only notes the arrival of the Taino, not their decline. Option C focuses on colonial rule and enslaved people brought from Africa, not the original population's collapse. Option D refers to later enslaved uprisings and abolition, unrelated to the original population. Option B directly states that by 1600, most of the original population was wiped out by disease or harsh treatment, which is the specific cause of their devastation.

Answer:

B. By 1600 most had been wiped out by disease or harsh treatment.