Treaties formed an important part of European colonization and, in many parts of the world, Europeans attempted to legitimize their sovereignty by signing treaties with indigenous peoples. In most cases these treaties were in extremely disadvantageous terms to the native people, who often did not appreciate the implications of what they were signing.
What formed an important part of European colonization? With whom did Europeans attempt to sign treaties in order to legitimize their sovereignty during colonization? What terms in relation to Europeans did most indigenous people enjoy under treaties? What aspect of the treaties that indigenous people signed with Europeans did the indigenous people typically not understand? What did Europeans try to legitimize all over the world by signing treaties with indigenous people?