Final answer:
The displacement of Aboriginal peoples from their territories was accelerated by the European settlement that disregarded Indigenous land claims in pursuit of expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The displacement of Aboriginal peoples from their territories was exacerbated by increased settlement, which was driven by the colonial mindset that expansion was crucial to the nation's interests, rendering Indigenous claims to land as obstacles. European settlers brought different concepts of ownership and governance, resulting in the physical and cultural displacement of Indigenous peoples. Population movements led by settlers and colonial powers caused upheaval, as local environments were depleted of natural resources, leaving Indigenous populations impoverished and culturally alienated. With every westward expansion, more Native American lands were encroached upon, often leading to forced migrations such as in the infamous Trail of Tears. Settlers desired the fertile lands for agricultural development and prioritized this over the rights and welfare of the Native populations. Even reservation territories, initially thought undesirable, became targets for acquisition as White populations grew and sought new settlement opportunities. It is also crucial to consider the biological impacts on these populations. Diseases like smallpox, diphtheria, and measles brought by Europeans had a catastrophic effect due to a lack of immunity among Indigenous peoples, and while some claim the spread was unintentional, others argue it was part of a deliberate strategy. This significant decimation of population, coupled with forced migration and cultural dissolution, marks a dark period of history for Aboriginal peoples.