How did the growth of the railroads contribute to the decline of the native americans
WELL IT FORCED THE NATIVES TO MOVE WEST AND IT ALSO KILLED THE BUFFALO IN WHICH THE BUFFALO WAS THE BASIC WAY OF LIFE FOR THE NATIVES THEY USED THE BUFFALOS FOR CLOTHS FOOD ETC
As it became easier for white settlers to move into native American territory, they took over native lands and disrupted the game that natives hunted and ate.
Check these sites for more information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Transcontinental_Railroad
http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-West/Billings-History.html
The growth of railroads in the United States during the 19th century significantly contributed to the decline of Native Americans in several ways:
1. Encroachment on Native American lands: As the railroads expanded westward, they often encroached upon Native American territories. The U.S. government enacted policies, such as the Homestead Act of 1862, which encouraged settlers to stake claims on Native American lands. This led to an influx of non-Native American settlers who competed for resources and pushed Native Americans off their ancestral lands, disrupting their traditional way of life.
To find more information about the impact of railroads on Native Americans, you can search for books, scholarly articles, or reputable websites that cover this topic. Historical accounts, documentaries, and studies on Native American history and colonization will often provide insight into the specific ways railroads affected Native American communities.
2. Loss of buffalo and vital resources: Railroads facilitated the transportation of large quantities of settler populations, leading to increased hunting of buffalo for food and sport. Buffalo were not only a crucial resource for sustenance and cultural significance for Native American tribes, but they also played a fundamental role in their economic and ecological systems. The mass killing of buffalo for hides and sport severely disrupted these systems, resulting in a significant loss of resources.
To understand the ecological impact of the railroad and buffalo decline on Native Americans, you can research specific events such as the "Buffalo Bill" Cody's buffalo hunts or explore academic papers focusing on the connection between the buffalo's decline and Native American life.
3. Militarization and forced relocations: The railroads facilitated the swift transport of military forces to quell Native American resistance. The U.S. government used a combination of military force and forced relocations, such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the establishment of reservations, to displace Native Americans from their ancestral lands further. These policies aimed to clear the way for railroad expansion and settle the West, at the expense of Native American tribes.
To explore the effects of railroad expansion on Native American displacement and resistance, you can examine historical accounts, government documents, or studies on Native American governance and policy during this time period.
Remember to always cross-reference information from multiple sources and evaluate their credibility to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the topic.