What happened to American Indians as a result of the Spanish conquest of the Americas?
(1 point)
Responses
Those who converted to Christianity were given freedom.
Those who converted to Christianity were given freedom.
Many died from disease and mistreatment.
Many died from disease and mistreatment.
Many migrated north to escape Spanish rule.
Many migrated north to escape Spanish rule.
They learned new ways to farm their land.
The correct answer is:
Many died from disease and mistreatment.
The Spanish conquest of the Americas had devastating consequences for the indigenous populations. American Indians were exposed to diseases brought by the Europeans, such as smallpox, influenza, and measles, to which they had no immunity. As a result, there were massive declines in their populations due to epidemics. Additionally, the conquest and subsequent colonization involved significant mistreatment of the native people, including forced labor, such as the encomienda system, which often amounted to slavery, as well as violence and cultural suppression. While some American Indians did indeed adopt new agricultural techniques introduced by the Spanish, and there was a degree of cultural exchange, the overall impact of the conquest was heavily negative for Native American societies.