Question

the population of native americans in the continental united states decreased dramatically by 1890 because ______. a. native americans died from a variety of infectious diseases b. of coercive assimilation c. warfare and battles led to casualties d. of interracial marriage e. native americans migrated westward

Explanation:

To determine why the Native American population decreased dramatically by 1890, we analyze each option:

• Option A: European contact introduced many infectious diseases (like smallpox) to which Native Americans had no immunity, causing widespread death. This is a major factor in their population decline.
• Option B: Coercive assimilation (like boarding schools) aimed at cultural change, not direct population reduction.
• Option C: Warfare had some casualties, but not the primary cause of dramatic decline.
• Option D: Interracial marriage doesn't decrease population; it changes demographics but not overall numbers drastically.
• Option E: Westward migration of Native Americans was often forced (like Trail of Tears), but migration itself doesn't reduce population—death from disease, conflict, and displacement-related factors did. So the main reason for population decrease was infectious diseases.

Answer:

A. Native Americans died from a variety of infectious diseases