Orphanages in early America were primarily filled with children whose parents died from which of the following?

The primary reason orphanages in early America were filled with children was indeed due to diseases like cholera, tuberculosis, and scarlet fever. During the 19th century, these diseases were rampant and often fatal, leading to high mortality rates among parents. Public health infrastructure was lacking, and medical knowledge was not advanced, making these diseases difficult to control or effectively treat. As a result, many children found themselves orphaned after losing their parents to these illnesses, necessitating care and shelter in orphanages.

While other factors such as natural disasters, complications from childbirth, and poverty certainly contributed to children being taken into care, the overwhelming impact of infectious diseases in that historical context was a significant driver of the high number of children in orphanages. The high prevalence of such diseases at the time highlights the public health crises that affected communities and led to the establishment of orphanages as a means of providing for the needs of these vulnerable children.