Final answer:
The Columbian Exchange brought domestic animals and new crops to the Americas, profoundly affecting Native American societies. While it offered benefits such as new forms of transportation and food sources, it is more known for the negative impact of introducing diseases that decimated the indigenous population and for cultural and territorial disruptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Columbian Exchange dramatically altered the lives of Native Americans after Europeans arrived in the Americas. While it did bring new domestic animals such as horses, pigs, and cattle, which were previously unseen by Native Americans, it also introduced devastating diseases. These diseases, including smallpox and influenza, to which Native Americans had no natural immunity, resulted in a catastrophic decrease in the indigenous population by at least 90%. New agricultural products, such as maize, potatoes, and cassava, were sent back to Europe, transforming the global food economy.
Positive Impacts: Some indigenous communities adapted to these changes by integrating these animals into their societies. For example, the introduction of the horse transformed many Native American tribes who used them for hunting and transportation, revolutionizing their way of life. The exposure to new livestock also meant that Native Americans gained access to a consistent supply of animal protein.
Negative Impacts: Despite some positive contributions, the Columbian Exchange primarily had adverse effects on Native American societies. The onslaught of European diseases led to the decimation of large portions of the Native American population, which had long-lasting demographic and cultural impacts. Additionally, the European settlers' concepts of land ownership and property rights were at odds with the indigenous peoples' traditional ways of life, leading to conflicts and loss of territory for many tribes.