Final answer:
Option (a), British settlers often treated the First Nations through conflict, exploitation, and imposition of treaties. The introduction of European concepts of land ownership and military technology, along with expansionist practices, led to the significant loss of Native American territory and autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British settlers' interaction with the First Nations was often characterized by conflict and exploitative treaties. The British settlers and European colonists had a marked impact on the indigenous populations, sometimes attempting to enslave the members of various tribes, particularly in the southern colonies. Although there were moments of trade and supposed friendship, the English also brought with them devastating diseases, occupied Native American territory, and sought to enslave or kill them, disrupting the lives and cultures of the Native peoples.
As the European colonists established homes and fenced in properties, they infringed on native concepts of land use and stewardship, which did not recognize land ownership in the same way. Consequently, many Native American territories and ways of life were lost. Additionally, technological advancements in weapons altered tribal dynamics and warfare. The British also relied on military threat when establishing trade, which sometimes led to war with the natives. Over time, British policies and the presence of settlers increasingly displaced and diminished Native American autonomy and territory.