Question

How did the expansion of railroads affect Indigenous peoples in the West?
They were displaced from their tribal lands.
They moved into towns with the new settlers.
They stopped farming and took railroad jobs.
They were forced to move to New England.

Answer 1

The expansion of railroads in the West primarily led to the displacement of Indigenous peoples from their tribal lands. The construction of railroads often required the appropriation of land that Indigenous peoples inhabited, leading to increased encroachment by settlers and a loss of traditional territories. This displacement contributed to significant cultural, economic, and social disruptions for many Indigenous communities. While some Indigenous individuals may have taken on jobs related to the railroads, the most widespread and impactful consequence was the forced removal from their ancestral lands.