Question

spanish and portuguese imperialism quick check
which of the following statements best investigates why the spanish and portuguese were able to influence indigenous communities in latin america? (1 point)
spanish and portuguese missionaries were able to convert indigenous peoples to christianity and force them to abandon their cultures.
the arrival of new crops and people from afro-eurasia slowly replaced indigenous culture.
the destruction caused by widespread disease allowed europeans to more effectively change weakened indigenous culture.
indigenous communities did not have unique cultural identities and were easily influenced by the arrival of europeans.

Explanation:

When the Spanish and Portuguese arrived in Latin America, they brought diseases like smallpox. Indigenous people had no immunity to these new - world diseases. The massive death toll from these diseases weakened Indigenous communities. With their populations severely reduced and their social structures disrupted, Europeans (Spanish and Portuguese) could more easily impose their cultural, religious (Christianity), and social changes on the weakened Indigenous groups.

Option 1: While missionaries were part of the influence, the word "force" is too simplistic. There was a more complex interaction that was also enabled by the weakened state of Indigenous communities due to disease.
Option 2: The arrival of new crops and people was part of a larger picture, but the key enabler was the destruction from disease.
Option 4: Indigenous communities had rich and unique cultural identities. This option is factually incorrect.

Answer:

The destruction caused by widespread disease allowed Europeans to more effectively change weakened Indigenous culture.