Impact on Native American Life and Culture

The construction and expansion of the Transcontinental Railroad had severe and lasting negative effects on the culture of Native Americans, particularly those living on the Great Plains. The railroad's development disrupted traditional ways of life and led to significant conflicts between Native tribes and the U.S. government.

One of the most devastating impacts was on the nomadic lifestyle of many Plains tribes. The influx of settlers brought by the railroad led to the construction of fences, which blocked buffalo movement and disrupted traditional hunting practices. Additionally, the railroads themselves were required to fence off tracks running through settled lands, further fragmenting the landscape.

Highlight: The railroad enabled the near-extermination of the buffalo, reducing their population from 30 million in 1860 to just 100 by 1890.

The loss of the buffalo was particularly catastrophic for Plains Indian cultures. Railroad companies initially encouraged buffalo hunting as a sport, but soon professional hunters began using the railroad to transport large quantities of buffalo hides and meat to eastern markets. This led to the rapid decimation of buffalo herds, which were essential to the survival and cultural practices of many Native American tribes.

Quote: "Without their main food source, Plains Indians needed to learn to farm, and to assimilate."

The railroad's impact varied among different Native American groups. Some, like the Pawnee, cooperated with the U.S. government and agreed to move to reservations. Others, particularly in the northern Plains, resisted the encroachment on their lands, leading to conflicts such as the Great Sioux War.

Example: The Northern Pacific Railroad's route through Dakota, Montana, and Washington territories triggered conflicts with tens of thousands of Plains Indians who still lived traditional lives dependent on buffalo hunting.

These conflicts often resulted in violent confrontations. Native Americans attacked railroad workers and derailed trains, viewing the "Iron Horse" as a threat to their way of life. In response, railroad companies requested military intervention, leading to a more aggressive and ruthless approach by the U.S. Army against Native American tribes.

Economic Impact and Development of the West

The Transcontinental Railroad had a transformative effect on the economy and development of the American West. Its completion in 1869 ushered in a new era of trade, industry, and settlement that rapidly changed the landscape of the region.

One of the most significant impacts was on trade. The railroad provided access to markets for homesteaders, allowing them to sell their produce to the Eastern United States and even Europe. It also facilitated the transport of goods that made life on the Plains easier, such as stoves, furniture, and other household items.

Highlight: The railroad network in the USA grew from 200,000 km in 1850 to 324,000 km by 1890, mostly in the West, surpassing the combined railway networks of all European countries.

The cattle industry was particularly affected by the railroad's expansion. It stimulated cattle drives from Texas to railheads, where cattle could be sold to railroad builders and merchants from the Eastern USA. This led to the development of "cow towns" along the railroad routes, which became hubs of economic activity.

Example: Abilene, Kansas, was developed as a cow town by cattle entrepreneur Joseph McCoy, becoming a center for cattle trade and attracting various businesses such as saloons, gambling halls, and tailors.

Technological innovations also played a role in the railroad's economic impact. The development of refrigerated railcars by Gustavus Swift revolutionized the meat industry, allowing for the transport of fresh beef from the Plains to markets in the East. This made cattle ranching on the Plains a viable and profitable enterprise.

Vocabulary: Railhead - The point at which a railroad ends or connects to another line.

The railroad's influence extended beyond agriculture and ranching. It spurred the growth of various industries along its route, from mining to manufacturing. Towns and cities sprang up around railroad stations, becoming centers of commerce and population growth.

However, it's important to note that this rapid economic development came at a significant cost to Native American populations and the environment. The near-extinction of the buffalo, driven in part by the railroad's facilitation of mass hunting, had devastating consequences for Plains Indian cultures and the ecosystem of the Great Plains.

Definition: Assimilation - The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.

The economic transformation brought about by the Transcontinental Railroad was a double-edged sword, bringing prosperity to some while displacing and marginalizing others. Its legacy continues to shape the American West to this day.