Acquisition of horses among the Blackfoot of Western Canada led to changes in marriage and alliance patterns and to the development of a class system.

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The acquisition of horses by the Blackfoot people caused significant changes in their traditional social organization, including marriage and alliance patterns and the development of a class system. Prior to horses, the Blackfoot were a hunting and gathering society with a relatively egalitarian social structure. However, the introduction of horses through trade with European settlers allowed them to become nomadic hunters and expand their territory, leading to the emergence of wealthy and influential individuals who owned large herds of horses. This created a new social hierarchy with chiefs and leaders who had the power and influence to make marriage and alliance decisions, and also led to the development of a class system based on wealth and horse ownership.

Acquisition of Horses Among the Blackfoot of Western Canada Led