The development of the transcontinental railroad had profound and devastating impacts on Native Americans:
- The railroad cut through the traditional homelands of at least 15 tribal nations, often without negotiating treaties beforehand, leading to loss of land and resources for Indigenous peoples
- It disrupted Indigenous ways of life by fragmenting their territories and destroying hunting grounds, especially for the bison, which was central to the culture and survival of many Plains tribes. The near-extinction of the bison due to increased hunting, encouraged by the U.S. government, caused starvation and economic hardship among Native communities
- The railroad facilitated an influx of settlers, tourists, and goods into Indigenous lands, accelerating colonization and the erosion of tribal sovereignty and traditional economies
- Native Americans resisted the encroachment through acts of sabotage against the railroad and attacks on workers, but these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful in preserving their territories and way of life
- The railroad also enabled military campaigns against Native tribes, contributing to violent conflicts and the forced relocation of many Indigenous peoples to reservations
- Overall, the transcontinental railroad symbolized a form of continental imperialism and colonial expansion that undermined Indigenous cultures, economies, and autonomy, leaving a legacy of displacement and cultural disruption that Native communities continue to confront today
In summary, while the transcontinental railroad was a major technological achievement, it came at a great cost to Native Americans by destroying their lands, decimating vital resources like the bison, provoking violent conflicts, and accelerating the loss of their sovereignty and traditional ways of life
