- Disease: The arrival of European colonists brought with them new diseases, such as smallpox, measles, and influenza, to which the Native Americans had no immunity. These diseases spread rapidly through the native populations, decimating entire tribes.
- Warfare: The European colonists also engaged in warfare with the Native Americans, often over land and resources. These wars resulted in the deaths of many Native Americans and the displacement of others from their traditional lands.
- Forced removal: In the 19th century, the United States government forcibly removed many Native Americans from their traditional lands and relocated them to reservations. This process, known as Indian removal, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans and the loss of their cultural heritage.
- Cultural disruption: The arrival of the Europeans also disrupted the traditional way of life of the Native Americans. This disruption included the loss of their hunting grounds, the introduction of new agricultural practices, and the spread of Christianity. These changes led to a decline in the Native American population and the loss of their cultural identity.