Read this quote: “Before Spanish arrival there is estimated to be about 60 million people in the Americas. After Spanish arrival this population shrank to about 6 million people.” Using evidence from the quotation, which statement correctly analyzes the effectiveness of Spanish colonial rule?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Colonial rule was strengthened by indigenous population decreases because it meant they could focus less on the unpopular social caste system.
Colonial rule was strengthened by indigenous population decreases because it meant they could focus less on the unpopular social caste system.

Colonial rule was weakened by decreases in the indigenous population because it led to more resistance to Spanish colonial rule.
Colonial rule was weakened by decreases in the indigenous population because it led to more resistance to Spanish colonial rule.

Colonial rule was weakened by decreases in the indigenous population because there were fewer people to work in the colonies.
Colonial rule was weakened by decreases in the indigenous population because there were fewer people to work in the colonies.

Colonial rule was strengthened by decreases in the indigenous population because it meant they would face less resistance from colonial populations.

Answer 1

The most accurate analysis of the effectiveness of Spanish colonial rule based on the quotation is:

Colonial rule was weakened by decreases in the indigenous population because there were fewer people to work in the colonies.

This statement directly addresses the implications of a dramatic decrease in the indigenous population from approximately 60 million to 6 million, suggesting that this population loss would negatively impact labor availability and, thus, the effectiveness of colonial rule.