Which effect did the Spanish and Portuguese colonization have in South American Indians?
The Spanish and Portuguese colonization had a devastating impact on South American Indians. They introduced new diseases, such as smallpox, which decimated Indigenous populations that had no immunity to these diseases. Additionally, the Europeans forced the Indigenous peoples into slavery, exploiting their labor for the extraction of resources such as gold and silver. Many Indigenous communities were also forcibly displaced from their lands and their traditional ways of life were disrupted.
In addition, the Europeans imposed their religion, language, and culture on the Indigenous populations, leading to the loss of many traditional customs and practices. The colonization also led to a loss of autonomy for Indigenous peoples as they were subjugated under the rule of the Spanish and Portuguese colonizers.
Overall, the Spanish and Portuguese colonization led to the destruction of Indigenous societies, cultures, and populations in South America.