The most notable impact of colonization on indigenous populations in the Americas was the dramatic decline in their populations due to diseases, warfare, and displacement. European explorers and settlers brought diseases such as smallpox, influenza, and measles to which indigenous peoples had no immunity, resulting in catastrophic mortality rates. Additionally, colonization involved the appropriation of land, leading to violent conflicts and the forced removal of native communities from their ancestral territories. This resulted in significant cultural disruption, loss of traditions, and social structure among indigenous groups. The long-term consequences included systemic marginalization and struggles for sovereignty that continue to affect Native American communities today.