The Destruction of the Indians’ Way of Life

• Extermination of the herds

  • Hunting of the southern herd peaked in 1872-74, when hunters killed 4.5m animals
  • The northern herd was protected by the Sioux reservation until 1876; it was exterminated by 1883

  
• Why were the buffalo hunted?

  • Their hide (skin) was valuable for leather. The rest of the animal was often thrown away.
  • Railroads brought hunters in from the cities

  
• Government policy

  The government supported the extermination of the buffalo:

  • The treaties had clauses saying that any Indian hunting rights only lasted as long as there were buffalo to hunt
  • With no buffalo to hunt, the Indians were forced to farm and be more like white people
  • No buffalo made railroad building and ranching easier
• Impact on Native Americans:

  • Some tried farming, but their crops often failed
  • They depended even more on the government for food
  • Many starved and died of disease