1. Commercial Profit:
* Hides: Buffalo hides were highly valuable for making leather goods, clothing, and even furniture. This demand fueled a lucrative trade, especially after the invention of the hide-processing machine in the 1870s.
* Bones: Buffalo bones were ground up for fertilizer and used in the manufacturing of bone china and other products.
* Tongues: Buffalo tongues were considered a delicacy and were often exported to Europe.
2. Government Policy:
* Extermination as a means of warfare against Native Americans: The US government actively encouraged and sometimes even funded buffalo hunting as a way to disrupt Native American tribes who relied on buffalo for food, clothing, shelter, and tools. By decimating the buffalo herds, the government sought to force Native Americans onto reservations and make them more vulnerable to assimilation.
3. Sport Hunting:
* Thrill of the hunt: Some buffalo hunters were driven by the thrill of the hunt itself and the challenge of bringing down such massive animals. This was often fueled by a sense of superiority and the desire to prove their hunting skills.
4. Land Acquisition:
* Opening the West for settlement: Buffalo herds often grazed on land that was coveted by settlers. The extermination of buffalo paved the way for the expansion of agriculture, ranching, and other industries.
It's important to note that the buffalo hunts had devastating consequences for both Native Americans and the environment. The near-extinction of the buffalo species had a lasting impact on the ecosystem, and it took decades for the populations to recover.