How did Manifest Destiny contribute to the decline of Native American populations?(1 point)
Responses
Intermarriage and cultural assimilation
Intermarriage and cultural assimilation
Increased access to healthcare and improved living conditions
Increased access to healthcare and improved living conditions
Spread of diseases and loss of hunting grounds
Spread of diseases and loss of hunting grounds
Conflicts and violence between Native American tribes
Conflicts and violence between Native American tribes
Manifest Destiny contributed to the decline of Native American populations through the spread of diseases and loss of hunting grounds.
The correct answer is: Spread of diseases and loss of hunting grounds.
Manifest Destiny was a belief widely held by Americans during the 19th century that it was their destiny and duty to expand across the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This expansion led to detrimental consequences for Native American populations.
One aspect of Manifest Destiny that contributed to the decline of Native American populations was the spread of diseases. As European settlers moved westward, they brought with them infectious diseases, such as smallpox, measles, and influenza, to which Native Americans had little to no immunity. These diseases spread rapidly among the Native American populations, causing widespread illness and death.
Another factor was the loss of hunting grounds. As settlers moved into new territories, they often claimed land that had been traditionally used by Native American tribes for hunting and gathering resources. This disrupted the Native Americans' way of life and their ability to sustain themselves. With their traditional hunting grounds taken away, Native Americans faced food scarcity and an increase in starvation and malnutrition.
It is important to note that other factors, such as conflicts and violence between Native American tribes, intermarriage and cultural assimilation, or increased access to healthcare and improved living conditions, may have also played a role in the decline of Native American populations to some extent. However, the spread of diseases and loss of hunting grounds were significant contributors to the population decline of Native Americans during the era of Manifest Destiny.