How were efforts to determine the pre-columbian population of america tied to the larger debate over the consequences of european settlement of the western hemisphere?

Explanation:

The early migrants firstly settled in America and came across Bering Straight .

Due to these diverse population , they scattered .

And the Natives developed by hunting , gathering , fishing . and started farming  , and stayed at one place .

But before the appearance of the  Columbian population , North America were having around 16 million Indians .

And

Thereafter , the population of Indians reduces due to the loss of battles against the spread of the White civilizations .

ask an adult bc this is too hardcore