Which of the following is one way the Spanish impacted the Native Americans living in the southeastern region of North America?

(1 point)
A.) Thousands of Native Americans abandoned their traditional beliefs and converted to Catholicism.
B.) They formed a strong alliance and became trading partners.
C.) The Native Americans were introduced to new foods.
D.) Thousands of Native Americans died as a result of diseases spread by contact with Europeans.

D.) Thousands of Native Americans died as a result of diseases spread by contact with Europeans.

D.) Thousands of Native Americans died as a result of diseases spread by contact with Europeans.

To determine which of the given options is correct, we need to analyze each option and evaluate its impact on the Native Americans living in the southeastern region of North America.

A.) Thousands of Native Americans abandoned their traditional beliefs and converted to Catholicism.
This option suggests that the Spanish impacted the Native Americans by introducing Catholicism, which led to a significant number of them converting to the new religion.

B.) They formed a strong alliance and became trading partners.
This option implies that the Spanish and the Native Americans in the southeastern region formed a mutually beneficial relationship, creating alliances and engaging in trading activities.

C.) The Native Americans were introduced to new foods.
This option suggests that the Spanish brought new food items to the Native Americans, expanding their diet and culinary experiences.

D.) Thousands of Native Americans died as a result of diseases spread by contact with Europeans.
This option highlights the negative impact of European contact on the Native Americans, specifically through the spread of diseases that resulted in thousands of Native American deaths.

Based on the given options, the correct answer is D.) Thousands of Native Americans died as a result of diseases spread by contact with Europeans. The Spanish, as part of European contact, unintentionally introduced diseases to which Native Americans had no immunity, resulting in significant population decline.

Thus, option D is the correct answer.