Spanish and/or French colonization impacted the lives of Native Americans (20-100 words), based on the items in the compare-and-contrast chart.

1 answer

Spanish and French colonization significantly impacted Native American lives through cultural assimilation, economic exploitation, and social disruption. The Spanish imposed Catholicism and forced labor systems, like the encomienda, while the French established trade alliances but also introduced diseases that decimated populations. Both colonizers aimed to control land and resources, leading to displacement and loss of traditional lifestyles. Notably, the French often fostered more cooperative relationships with tribes compared to the Spanish, yet both colonial powers ultimately altered Native societies profoundly.