Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
The Extermination of the Buffalo (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
How did the Destruction of the Buffalo Affect the Plains? - Summary
The near-extinction of the buffalo had devastating consequences for Indigenous tribes. Many tribes faced starvation. White hunters depleted the traditional hunting grounds of buffalo herds. The loss of buffalo also led to the collapse of traditional economies and social structures. Tribes had to rely on government rationing and help. This ended the independence and the cultural identity of the Indigenous peoples of the Plains.
The decline of the buffalo impacted the Plains landscape. There were changes to the wildlife habitats in the Plains. Large herds of buffalo were no longer grazing on the Plains. This led to a significant change in the environment.
The death of the buffalo also facilitated the westward expansion of white settlers. A reduction in the number of buffalo allowed for the establishment of ranching and agriculture on the Plains. Settlers claimed large areas of land for farming and ranching. Without the buffalo, there was no competition from Indigenous hunters for this land.
Why did the White Settlers Exterminate the Buffalo?
Economic reasons | Technological reasons | Cultural issues |
|---|---|---|
Before 1870, people hunted the buffalo for their fur. People made warm coats out of them | Hunters used the railroads to transport buffalo hides back to the cities | White settlers only valued the hide. Many inexperienced hunters wasted a lot of the hide |
In 1871, people discovered how to make buffalo hide into leather for machine belts. Prices for each buffalo hide ranged from $1 to $3 | White hunters did not chase the buffalo on horseback. They used guns like the Sharps rifle to kill the buffalo as efficiently as possible | White hunters left the rest of the buffalo to rot on the Plains. This angered the Indigenous people who saw this as disrespectful to the Wakan Tanka |
How did the Extermination of the Buffalo Support US Government Policy?
Aspect of government policy | How did exterminating the buffalo help the government to achieve this aspect? |
|---|---|
Reservations | If there were fewer buffalo, the indigenous peoples could no longer track the migration of the buffalo. They would be more likely to go into reservations without resistance and rely on government support |
Making treaties | Many treaties between the US government and the indigenous peoples agreed to allow tribes to hunt on large hunting grounds. Each treaty had a clause stating that they could only hunt outside of reservations if there were buffalo. If the buffalo disappeared, they would lose their right to hunt |
Assimilation of the Indigenous peoples | Buffalo were the indigenous peoples' main food supply. Without the buffalo, many Indigenous tribes would have to learn how to farm |
Developing railroads | Buffalo restricted the building of railroads. When the number of buffalos was reduced, more railroads could be built |
Encouraging cattle ranching | With fewer buffalo on the Plains, more people could establish cattle ranches. Cattle barons were powerful in local and federal government |
The Impact of the Extermination of the Buffalo on the Tribes of the Plains
There were attempts to stop the killing of buffalo herds
In 1874, President Grant blocked a proposal from Congress about fining $100 for any non-Indigenous peoples who killed:
A female buffalo
More male buffalo than they required for food
The Great Sioux reservation protected the northern buffalo herd until 1876
By the 1880s, the buffalo were hunted to near extermination:
The destruction of buffalo herds had a significant impact on Indigenous peoples' way of life
Some people turned to cattle ranching
Indigenous peoples could adapt their skills with the buffalo to cattle
Cattle herds suffered from disease
Other people tried to farm
Many Indigenous tribes did not have farming skills
A lack of skill and poor-quality land meant crops often failed to grow
The US government forced many Indigenous peoples to live on reservations
They became even more reliant on government supplies
The government took away food rations for resistance
Many Indigenous peoples on reservations died from illness or starvation
Worked Example
Explain the importance of the extermination of the buffalo for the Indigenous peoples' way of life
8 marks
Partial answer:
The extermination of the buffalo changed the Indigenous peoples' way of life because they became more reliant on the US government. The indigenous peoples relied on the buffalo to provide resources for every aspect of their lives. Without the buffalo, the indigenous peoples did not know how to survive on the Plains. This changed their way of life because they could no longer be independent. Many tribes had to move to reservations to survive on government supplies. Therefore, without the buffalo, the US government had more control over the indigenous peoples. They could use access to resources as a way of controlling indigenous tribes.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
This style of question in the exam paper would be worth 8 marks. An examiner would expect you to write two paragraphs analysing the importance of an event on a wider theme like Indigenous people's way of life. A good response to this style of question would have:
A logical structure of paragraphs. Within each paragraph, each sentence should link to the next. This will build a strong argument as to why the event is important to the wider theme
Specific own knowledge linked to the event, showing in-depth knowledge of the period
A clear explanation as to why the event was important to a wider theme. In the example above, you can see the phrase 'This changed their way of life because'. This helps to keep the response focused on the question
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