What was the Reason for the decline of the Native American population?

The decline of the Native American population was primarily due to European colonization, which brought diseases such as smallpox and influenza, to which Indigenous peoples had no immunity. Additionally, violent conflicts, forced removals, and displacement from their lands significantly impacted their populations. Systematic policies aimed at assimilation and the disruption of traditional lifestyles further exacerbated the decline. Together, these factors led to a dramatic decrease in the Native American population over several centuries.