Which of the following was the greatest short-term effect of Spanish colonization on American Indians

Answer 1

The greatest short-term effect of Spanish colonization on American Indians was the drastic decline in their population due to diseases brought by the Europeans, such as smallpox, influenza, and typhus. Native populations had no immunity to these diseases, leading to widespread epidemics that decimated communities. In addition to disease, the Spanish also imposed harsh labor systems and engaged in violent conflicts, further contributing to the significant decline in the indigenous population and disrupting their traditional ways of life.