How did European colonization impact indigenous cultures in the Caribbean?

European colonization had profound effects on indigenous cultures in the Caribbean, leading to significant diminishment and alteration. The arrival of Europeans brought about a wave of changes that disrupted the existing social, political, and economic systems of the indigenous populations. Diseases introduced by Europeans, against which the indigenous people had no immunity, decimated communities. This loss of life was compounded by violent conquests and the forced displacement of these communities.

Moreover, European colonizers imposed their own cultures, languages, and religions, which resulted in a cultural shift that often marginalized indigenous traditions and practices. The introduction of new economic systems, focused on plantation agriculture and exploitation of resources, further altered the way indigenous people lived and interacted with their environment. Practices that were once central to their identity were greatly diminished as colonial systems prioritized European economic interests over indigenous ways of life.

In this context, the claim that indigenous cultures were severely diminished and altered is supported by historical accounts of population decline, cultural suppression, and the transformation of social structures due to European influences.