Final answer:
The Comanche became a principal tribe on the southern Great Plains due to their adoption of horses from the Spanish, leading to a nomadic, hunter-warrior society adept at mounted warfare. Their skills enabled them to build an empire and effectively resist European settlers for a time, but conflicts and the slaughter of the bison eventually brought decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Comanche tribe went from being relatively obscure to becoming the principal tribe on the southern Great Plains. The acquisition of the horse was a pivotal moment in this transformation. The reintroduction of horses by the Spanish dramatically altered Comanche society. The Comanche adopted the horse, which significantly enhanced their mobility and efficacy in hunting bison, turning them into formidable nomadic hunters and warriors. Over time, their skilled use of horses and metal weaponry, acquired through trade and conflict, allowed the Comanche to create an empire and negotiate as equals with European powers.
The impact of the horse on the Plains Indians was profound, leading them to develop into highly mobile societies that were adept at both hunting vast herds of bison and engaging in mounted warfare. Religious systems were often centered around bison and included ceremonies like the Sun Dance. However, the arrival of settlers, the railroad, and the consequent decimation of the bison population greatly disrupted the Plains Indians’ way of life.
Conflicts with Western settlers increased as the latter moved into Plains territories, leading to a series of conflicts known as the Plains Wars. Tribes like the Sioux in the Northern Plains and the Apache in the Southwest, skilled in mounted warfare, provided significant resistance. This period of conflict ultimately played a role in the decline of Plains Indian societies, including the Comanche. Nonetheless, the Comanche stood out for their ability to adapt and thrive for a period, earning a reputation as a dominant force on the Great Plains.