2. Loss of Land: The encroachment of settlers significantly reduced the land available to native tribes. Through treaties, forced removals, and violent conflicts, native nations were pushed to smaller reservations, impacting their ability to sustain their traditional way of life.
3. Disease: The arrival of European settlers introduced new diseases such as small pox, measles, and cholera to which the native population had no immunity. These diseases decimated native communities, wiping out entire villages and further disrupting their societies.
4. Depletion of Resources: As white settlers moved into the Great Plains, they brought with them new technologies and methods of resource extraction. The intensive exploitation of natural resources such buffalo hunting and mining, depleted the resources that native people relied on for survival.
5. Economic Dependency: Many native nations were forced to rely on the federal government for sustenance through rations, annuities, and other forms of assistance. This increased dependency reduced their autonomy and eroded traditional economic structures.
6. Assimilation Policies: The migration of white settlers was often accompanied by government policies aimed at assimilating native people into Euro-American culture. These policies included forced relocation to boarding schools, suppression of native languages and ceremonies, and the imposition of Christian religions.
7. Marginalization and Discrimination: Native Americans faced pervasive marginalization and discrimination in the face of white settlers. They were denied basic rights, civil liberties and fair treatment, which perpetuated a cycle of poverty and social inequality.
8. Loss of Political Sovereignty: The influx of white settlers led to the erosion of native political structures. Treaties were often disregarded or violated by the U.S. government, undermining the autonomy and sovereignty of native nations.