Final answer:
The primary beneficiaries of the Columbian Exchange were the European colonizers who gained economic growth and resources. Certain African leaders profited from the slave trade, while the Indigenous peoples of the Americas faced devastation from diseases and loss of land.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Columbian Exchange drastically altered the world after Columbus's voyages to the Americas. Those in power in Europe benefited immensely from new economic opportunities provided by trade and colonization. Wealth and commodities accrued vastly to European countries through the mercantilist economy. For instance, they acquired valuable products like tobacco, potatoes, and chocolate from the Americas while exporting horses, cattle, sugar, and coffee. The triangular trade particularly exemplified the benefits for European powers, as they strengthened their economies through the circulation of goods and enslaved people across the Atlantic.
For Africa, the interaction with European powers led predominantly to the detriment of its societies due to the slave trade. However, certain powerful African leaders engaged in the trade of enslaved peoples did profit by securing weapons and goods that bolstered their positions. As for the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, they faced catastrophic loss from diseases such as smallpox and influenza. Meanwhile, some Indigenous leaders did attempt to take advantage of the changes by engaging in negotiations and trade with Europeans, though this was limited compared to the devastation they faced.
Overall, while the Columbian Exchange had global implications and some Indigenous people navigated the new systems to their advantage, the primary beneficiaries were the European colonizers who saw substantial economic growth and territorial expansion at the expense of Indigenous populations and the people of Africa.