What was one of the consequences of Spanish colonization on Indigenous societies?

The consequence of Spanish colonization on Indigenous societies that stands out is the significant population decline due to disease. When the Spanish arrived in the Americas, they brought with them diseases such as smallpox, influenza, and typhus, which were previously unknown to the Indigenous people. These populations had no immunity to such illnesses, resulting in catastrophic mortality rates. Historians estimate that Indigenous populations in many regions plummeted by as much as 90% in the years following the arrival of Europeans, leading to drastic shifts in societal structures and cultures. The collapse of large segments of Indigenous populations had far-reaching effects, including the weakening of social cohesion, loss of cultural practices, and making it easier for European powers to establish control over these areas.

In contrast, options related to wealth accumulation, racial equality, and technological advancements do not accurately reflect the reality of Indigenous experiences under Spanish colonization. Wealth accumulation was primarily focused on the colonizers and local elites, while racial equality was not a feature of the colonial system. Technological advancements were less about benefitting Indigenous societies and more about the imposition of European technologies and systems that often disrupted traditional Indigenous ways of life.