What accounted for the majority of deaths in Spanish America in the 16 th century?

The majority of deaths in Spanish America during the 16th century were primarily due to diseases brought by European colonizers, such as smallpox, influenza, and measles. Indigenous populations had no immunity to these new illnesses, leading to devastating epidemics that decimated communities. Additionally, violence from conquest, forced labor, and harsh living conditions contributed to the high mortality rates among Native Americans during this period.