History The Spanish Conquistadors Questions
The indigenous peoples experienced significant cultural and social transformations after the Spanish conquests. These transformations included the imposition of Spanish language, religion (Christianity), and customs on the indigenous populations. The indigenous peoples were forced to abandon their own cultural practices and adopt those of the Spanish colonizers. They were also subjected to forced labor, known as encomienda, and were often treated as second-class citizens. Many indigenous populations suffered from diseases brought by the Spanish, resulting in a significant decline in their population. Overall, the Spanish conquests led to the loss of indigenous autonomy, cultural heritage, and social structures.