Until it was too late and then they still refused to adapt. Indians weren't defeated by European superiority. They were defeated by their inability to adapt. The settlers adapted which is why they won in the end.

EDIT: Which is why even today only a few tribes are successful despite getting so many government handouts. Inability to adapt.

Until it was too late and then they still refused to adapt. Indians weren't defeated by European superiority. They were defeated by their inability to adapt. The settlers adapted which is why they won in the end.