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when europeans first came to north amarica, why did they bring widesread changes amoung the amarican indians?

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Final answer:

European colonization in North America led to significant upheaval among American Indians due to the search for economic gain, the imposition of different societal values including private property, and the spread of new diseases. European goods, concepts, and weaponry altered traditional ways of life and shifted tribal power dynamics.

Step-by-step explanation:

Impact of European Colonization on American Indians

When Europeans arrived in North America, they brought widespread changes to indigenous societies. They came seeking economic gain, exploiting resources such as furs, metals, and wood, and some sought to enslave indigenous populations for agricultural labor. Additionally, European colonization led to the spread of Christianity as Europeans attempted to convert the native peoples. Trade, hunting practices, and warfare were profoundly affected.

Europeans introduced foreign diseases to which Native Americans had no immunity, leading to a decimation of the population, in some cases by over 90%. The indigenous concept of shared land clashed with European notions of private property ownership, leading to a loss of freedom of movement and conflicts over territory. The introduction of European commodities and weapons altered Native American lifestyles. Arms trade changed traditional tribal power dynamics as those with firearms became more dominant.

In essence, European colonization disrupted indigenous ways of life at every turn, leading to significant cultural, social, and political upheavals among the American Indians.

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