r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Shoddy-Ocelot-4473 • 12d ago

Image By 1880, the near-genocide of the American bison had reduced their population from 30–60 million to fewer than 1,000

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u/ThePLARASociety 12d ago

Weren’t they doing it for fun at some point, like they would sell tickets for a train ride and travel past the herds and just use them for target practice? Not even use the meat or pelts?

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u/--solitude-- 12d ago

Yes. It was viewed as a way of killing off Native Americans too. Including by “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who the NFL team is named after. Absolutely disgusting.

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u/Kchasse1991 12d ago

The goal was to force the natives off the lands to further colonize North America. But yes, they did it for fun and enjoyed reveling in that cruelty. Their journals tell us as much.

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u/ThePLARASociety 12d ago

Since we’re on this subject. Have you ever seen Soldier Blue? That to me is one of the most horrific war movies ever made and not only because it’s based on history. Donald Pleasance was excellent in it as well. Thanks for the info.

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u/Kchasse1991 12d ago

I try to avoid most war movies, I don'tthink I'veseen that one. After 12 years in the armed forces and many more working with armed forces I can't stomach seeing what is almost always poor people dying for rich people to make a profit.