How did the railroad contribute to the destruction of the Buffalo?

The expansion of the railroad in the 19th century facilitated the rapid transportation of settlers and goods, leading to increased hunting and habitat destruction for buffalo. As railroads spread across the Great Plains, they enabled commercial hunting, making it easier for hunters to kill large numbers of buffalo for their hides and meat. This overhunting, combined with the disruption of their natural habitat due to railway construction, contributed significantly to the near extinction of the buffalo population. Ultimately, the railroad played a crucial role in the drastic decline of buffalo herds, which were vital to many Indigenous cultures.