Which of the following were effects of Pizarro’s and Cortes’s defeat of Native Americans? Select all that apply.
To answer this question, we need to understand the effects of the conquests led by Pizarro and Cortes in order to choose the correct options. Here are the possible effects:
1. The spread of European diseases: Pizarro's and Cortes's arrival brought diseases, such as smallpox, to which the Native Americans had no immunity. This led to devastating epidemics that caused a significant decrease in the Native American population.
2. The destruction of Native American civilizations: The conquests of Pizarro and Cortes resulted in the downfall of powerful Native American civilizations, such as the Inca Empire in present-day Peru and the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico. These civilizations were devastated by warfare, colonization, and the introduction of European cultural influences.
3. The establishment of Spanish colonial rule: Pizarro and Cortes were working under the authority of the Spanish crown, and their conquests led to the establishment of Spanish colonial rule in the conquered territories. This resulted in the imposition of Spanish political, economic, and social systems on the Native American populations.
4. The plundering of resources: The conquests brought enormous amounts of wealth to Spain, primarily in the form of gold and silver. The Spanish crown and conquistadors exploited the resources of the conquered territories, leading to the extraction of vast amounts of precious metals.
Based on these effects, the correct options are:
- The spread of European diseases.
- The destruction of Native American civilizations.
- The establishment of Spanish colonial rule.
- The plundering of resources.