About This Lesson
Albert Bierstadt’s The Last of the Buffalo serves as a compelling entry point for an inquiry study on the urgent need for wildlife conservation and the enduring value of national parks.
Bierstadt witnessed the sweeping transformation of the American West, and while much of his work reflected the ideals of Manifest Destiny, The Last of the Buffalo confronts pressing issues from both his time and ours. This inquiry study examines the near extinction of the American buffalo and efforts to preserve the species through wildlife conservation and the creation of national parks. By pairing Bierstadt’s painting with popular media of the era, students can explore the profound impact of technology—such as the Sharps rifle, the railroad, and mass media—on the displacement of species, the destruction of indigenous cultures, and the reshaping of the American West. By linking the buffalo’s decline with the broader devastation of Native American communities, The Last of the Buffalo also provides a powerful springboard for discussing Native American rights and Indian removal policies.
