Final answer:
The Native American tribes on the East and West Coasts contributed significantly to history through their unique cultural practices, agricultural developments, trading systems, and oral traditions. The impact of European colonization brought disease and displacement, notably through the Trail of Tears. Native oral histories, such as those documenting geological events, underscore the longevity and importance of these cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contributions of Native American tribes on both the East Coast and West Coast to history are extensive and reflect their rich cultural diversity and interactions with the environment. Tribes in the Eastern Woodlands, which are sometimes divided between the North and Southeast, adapted to their specific environments living in small, autonomous clans or tribal units. Despite common warfare among tribes, they also shared some cultural aspects and participated in trade and ceremonies together.
The Southeast culture was agricultural-based and constructed in the fertile region, with societies that were highly structured and hierarchical. Names like Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Seminole come from this region. The European colonization introduced diseases that decimated populations and led to the Indian Removal Act, forcing many Native Americans onto the Trail of Tears into Plains areas.
In contrast, the West Coast Native Americans, such as those in Oregon, have preserved oral histories that have been passed down for thousands of years, such as the flood narrative involving the Coyote and Wishpoosh, which accurately corresponds to geological events like the Missoula floods. The tribes west of Mississippi did develop large and complex societies, with economies based on trade, agriculture, and the extraction of resources.
Overall, the range of experiences from the various tribes and their dynamic histories presents a challenge for academics aiming to neatly summarize Native American contributions. Yet, understanding these contributions is essential for grasiving the intricate tapestry of American history.