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Why did some Great Plains peoples flourish between the 1750s and 1860 while others did not?

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The differing fates of Great Plains peoples between 1750 and 1860 were primarily influenced by access to resources, interactions with European settlers, and environmental conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The peoples of the Great Plains experienced disparate fates between the 1750s and 1860s because of several interacting factors. First, the availability and success in gaining access to resources like food, shelter, and trade goods played a crucial role in the flourishing of some societies. For example, those groups situated near bison herds and along trading routes could easily access crucial supplies and resources. Others were not so lucky.

A second key factor was the degree and nature of interaction with European settlers. Some Plains peoples developed productive relationships with Europeans, engaging in beneficial trade and acquiring new technologies like fire-arms. However, these interactions also exposed them to new diseases against which they had no immunity, devastating many communities.

Lastly, changes in the environmental conditions, such as drought, could negatively impact societies who relied heavily on agriculture.

Learn more about Great Plains peoples

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User Misterbassman
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