The Buffalo Slaughter

1
The Buffalo Slaughter

• American army destroyed the Indians food
  supplythe buffalo
• In 1865, there were 15 million buffalo roaming
  the Great Plains

2
Split of the herd

• Transcontinental railroad divided the herd and
  brought hunters.

• William Cody aka Buffalo Bill killed buffalo for
  meat to feed the railroad workers.

3
The end of the Bison

• In 1871 a new method for treating the skin was
  invented? the slaughter increased!
• By 1878 the southern herd was gone and by 1884
  the northern herd was gone.
• In 1889 only about one thousand remained.
• Indians had no food, clothing, fuel, or shelter.

4
The Dawes Act

• White believed Indians had to assimilated.
• New schools and churches opened for Indians to
  promote Christianity.
• 1887?Dawes Act equals Americanization
• Families received 160 acres of land and after 25
  years would own the land and become citizens