American Indian/Native American holocaust/genocide

the population of the indigenous peoples of the Americas declined by up to 90% in the first centuries of European colonization, although much of this was due to disease, particularly smallpox. Nonetheless, the wars against the Indians, the driving off their lands onto reservations, and damaging laws and discrimination resulted in the eradication of nearly entire civilizations. Whether this constitutes a holocaust, a genocide, or neither is the subject of much debate. A request to the Smithsonian to create a space in the National Museum of the American Indian highlights some of the reasons for calling it a holocaust. See also American Indian, genocide, massacre, sports' teams names and mascots.