Question 156·Hard·Command of Evidence
Between 1867 and 1883, the population of the American bison plummeted from an estimated ten million to only a few hundred animals. While many factors contributed to this decline, a number of environmental historians maintain that United States government policy—not simply market demand for hides—played the decisive role in driving the species to the brink of extinction.
Which quotation from a scholarly article best supports the historians’ assertion?
For Command of Evidence questions, restate the claim in your own words and then judge each quote by how directly it proves that exact claim. Here, don’t stop at “a government person is speaking”—ask whether the quote shows policy intent (government encouraging/benefiting from the slaughter) rather than merely describing market prices, new technology, or cheaper transport. Choose the option with the clearest, most explicit link between bison killing and a government objective.
Hints
Focus on the core claim
The historians say that U.S. government policy, not just market demand, was key in the bison’s decline. Look for a quote that shows policy intent or a government goal, not just a government report describing conditions.
Distinguish “government source” from “government policy”
A quotation can come from a government official and still mainly describe prices, technology, or transportation. The best evidence should show the government encouraging, justifying, or benefiting from bison slaughter.
Look for an explicit policy motive
Which quote connects killing bison to achieving something the federal government wanted (for example, saving money for a department or weakening a group), rather than simply explaining why hunters found it profitable or easier?
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate what the question is asking
The question asks which quotation best supports historians’ claim that United States government policy, not simply market demand for hides, played the decisive role in pushing bison toward extinction.
So the best quote should show government decision-making or intent connected to encouraging (or benefiting from) bison slaughter.
Clarify what would count as strong evidence
Strong support for the claim would include evidence that a government actor (for example, a member of Congress or a federal department) viewed bison killing as useful for achieving a policy goal.
Weaker support would be a government report that merely observes other causes (prices, rifles, railroads) without showing policy intent.
Evaluate each option for policy intent vs. observation
Assess what each quotation actually shows:
- Option A: A Department of the Interior report describing high prices and hunters’ incentives. Even though a government agent is speaking, the cause emphasized is still market demand, not government policy driving the slaughter.
- Option C: An Army surgeon’s observation that the Sharps rifle made killing easier. This points to technology/efficiency, not a government policy goal.
- Option D: A federal transportation survey noting reduced costs due to rail connections. This highlights transportation economics, not a government decision to use bison slaughter as policy.
Choose the quote that shows government encouragement/benefit
Option B describes a statement made during a congressional debate on appropriations: Representative Throckmorton argues that killing buffalo causes Native people to go hungry and saves money for the War Department.
That is direct evidence of a federal lawmaker, in an official policy setting, framing bison slaughter as beneficial to a U.S. government department—supporting the historians’ assertion.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
“During an 1871 debate on Indian appropriations, Representative James Throckmorton remarked that ‘every buffalo slain on the plains is an Indian gone hungry, and therefore a dollar saved to the War Department.’ ”