| Bison (or Buffalo) were important to Indians tribes living on or near the
plains. For these Indians the bison was a "walking grocery
store." When Americans began to move onto the plains in the early 1800s, the bison
became even more important. First, bison was a main source of food for
both groups. Second, Americans
valued bison robes and hides. These items became important trade goods between the
Indians and Americans. So great was the Americans' demand for these
items that buffalo hunting vastly increased and the numbers of buffalo
soon began to decline. |
Photo Credit: Library of Congress,
American Memory,
Congressional Serial Set #1054
|
