Final answer:
Option (C), Portuguese explorers influenced South American culture primarily by imposing religious beliefs, particularly Catholicism.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way Portuguese explorers influenced South American culture was by imposing religious beliefs. During the era of exploration and colonization, the Portuguese, along with the Spanish, played a significant role in spreading Christianity, particularly Catholicism, across the continents they explored. The Portuguese crown was fervently Catholic and combined its quest for trade with a zeal for evangelism. They encouraged missionaries to accompany explorers and settlers, leading to the widespread conversion of indigenous peoples to Christianity in South America.
The cultural impact of Portuguese explorers can also be observed in the adoption of the Portuguese language, which has become the predominant language in Brazil, and the introduction of European art, architecture, and customs that blended with indigenous cultures to form a unique hybrid culture. The colonial activity in South America led to a dramatic transformation in the cultural landscape of the region, with the Roman Catholic religion becoming the major religious influence due to the Portuguese and Spanish colonization efforts.