3. why did some groups living in america give women a significant amount of
power?

Women were given immense power because they belong to the matrilineal culture.

In this culture, the mother’s line or descent is given much importance. They have the power to inherit the property of mother to a daughter.

In matrilineal society, if a person’s mother is a Mexican, then the daughter can proclaim herself to be half Mexican. In matrilineal societies there is less scope for spousal violence. They cannot ill-treat a women and she enjoys high privileges from her kin group.

b. they tried to evict the squatters from the area.

so sorry if wrong