How Expansion Changed Native Communities

The westward expansion of the United States significantly impacted Native communities throughout the 19th century. As settlers moved into new territories, they often encroached on lands that Indigenous peoples had inhabited for generations.

This resulted in the displacement of many Native tribes, altering their traditional ways of life, economies, and social structures. Some tribes attempted to adapt by adopting new practices, while others resisted, leading to a complex interplay of conflict and cooperation.