[dudul]

It totally excuses it. Intent is key. If you have no clue what a disease, a virus, an immune system are I don't see how you can be called "heinous" for unknowingly and unwillingly spread diseases.

As for lands, I don't know, lands all over the world have been changing hands since human beings learnt how to walk, most of the time after violence/war. It happened in 1500 when the concept of "nation" didn't even exist and the only way to say that a land was yours was to be able to keep it.

[ceejayoz]

The genocide of Native Americans extends far beyond the introduction of diseases like smallpox, in much more intentional ways.

[dudul]

Oh I agree. I was originally puzzled by the mention of "death by disease" as a "heinous" thing. I didn't dispute that heinous things were done.