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Improved Market Access and Indigenous Land Loss: Evidence from the Nineteenth-Century US Railroad Expansion

Author

Listed:
  • Jeff Chan
  • Azim Essaji
  • Rob Gillezeau

Abstract

We study the effects of colonial market access on the loss of lands for Indigenous nations, using the rapid expansion of the US railroad network in the nineteenth century as a quasi-natural experiment. We find that increased market access to Indigenous homelands led to a hastening of land dispossession. We find that both reductions in transport costs that improved connectivity to large population centers and the westward advancement of mass settlement were important channels. Taken together, our paper provides evidence that, unlike for settlers' outcomes, railroad-induced market access improvements may not have been beneficial for Indigenous peoples.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeff Chan & Azim Essaji & Rob Gillezeau, 2026. "Improved Market Access and Indigenous Land Loss: Evidence from the Nineteenth-Century US Railroad Expansion," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 116, pages 652-657, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:116:y:2026:p:652-657
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261127
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L92 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Railroads and Other Surface Transportation
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N41 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N71 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N91 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • Q24 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Land

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