How did the Spanish change the way that the Pre-Colombian people lived?

What have you learned from your book?

I'll be glad to comment on your answer.

We don't have a book. We were just assigned this question to answer.

To understand how the Spanish changed the way that the Pre-Colombian people lived, we need to look at the historical context and events that took place during the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Here's an explanation of the key factors that led to changes in the lives of the Pre-Colombian people:

1. Exploration and Conquest: After Christopher Columbus's voyages in 1492, Spain sought to expand its influence and territory in the New World. Spanish conquistadors, or explorers, like Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro, embarked on expeditions to conquer indigenous civilizations such as the Aztecs in Mesoamerica and the Incas in South America. Through military tactics and alliances with local tribes who resented Aztec or Inca rule, the Spanish were able to overthrow these powerful empires, leading to a radical change in the political landscape.

2. Encomienda System: The Spanish implemented a system called encomienda, which granted Spanish colonists the right to use indigenous labor and collect tribute in exchange for "protection" and conversion to Christianity. This system effectively enslaved many indigenous people, forcing them to work on Spanish plantations, mines, or other labor-intensive projects. The encomienda system disrupted the traditional economic and social structures of indigenous societies and led to the loss of land, resources, and autonomy.

3. Spread of Christianity: The Spanish, driven by religious fervor and the desire to convert indigenous populations, embarked on missionary campaigns, building churches and actively suppressing indigenous spiritual practices. Many indigenous people were forcibly converted to Christianity, leading to the erosion of their traditional beliefs, rituals, and cultural practices.

4. Forced Labor and Disease: The Spanish colonization introduced new diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza to which the indigenous people had little or no immunity. These diseases caused devastating epidemics, wiping out significant portions of the native population. As a result, traditional communities were disrupted, and social structures collapsed, making it easier for the Spanish to exert control over the remaining population.

5. Cultural Assimilation: Over time, the Spanish colonization resulted in cultural assimilation as the indigenous populations were exposed to Spanish language, customs, and norms. Intermarriage between Spaniards and indigenous people, known as mestizaje, created a mixed-race population and led to the development of new cultural identities.

In summary, the Spanish conquest of the Americas brought about significant changes in the lives of the Pre-Colombian people. These changes included political subjugation, economic exploitation, religious conversion, depopulation due to disease, and cultural assimilation.