Final answer:
Colonization led to indigenous peoples losing their authority and identity, as European colonizers imposed land ownership and exploited natural and human resources, profoundly altering their way of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colonization often deprived indigenous people of their authority and identity. The concept of land ownership and the control over natural resources were largely alien to indigenous cultures. As Europeans established colonies, they redefined land rights and restricted indigenous movement, leading to conflict and loss of territorial control. Moreover, colonizers introduced new socioeconomic structures, which coupled with the spread of diseases like smallpox and measles, further eroded the traditional ways of life of indigenous populations. This tumultuous period saw many indigenous peoples forced into labor, experience cultural assimilation, and faced with significant loss of their culture and languages.