Final answer:
The primary indirect advantage that Europeans had over the people they encountered abroad was their immunity to diseases, superior weapons and technology, and access to unlimited energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary indirect advantage that the Europeans had over the people they encountered abroad was their immunity to diseases that the indigenous populations were not immune to. Europeans had previously contracted diseases like smallpox and survived, which made them less susceptible to those diseases in the future. On the other hand, indigenous populations had little to no immunity to European diseases, resulting in devastating outbreaks.
Additionally, Europeans had superior weapons and technology compared to the indigenous populations. This gave Europeans a military advantage, allowing them to conquer and subjugate the people they encountered.
Lastly, Europeans had access to unlimited energy in the form of fossil fuels such as coal and later, oil. This allowed them to industrialize and develop technologies that made colonization and imperialism more efficient.