R: The impact of European exploration on American Indians was profound and often detrimental.
A: European exploration led to significant changes in the lives of American Indians, including loss of land, exposure to new diseases, and cultural disruptions.
C: For instance, the passage states that "with the arrival of Europeans, American Indians faced the devastating consequences of diseases like smallpox, which decimated entire populations" (Paragraph 3).
E: This evidence illustrates how the introduction of diseases to which American Indians had no immunity drastically reduced their numbers and weakened their societies. Additionally, European settlers often claimed lands traditionally used by Native tribes, leading to conflicts and further social upheaval. Overall, the consequences of exploration significantly altered the lives, cultures, and populations of American Indians.