The Comanche Economy

Here is a picture of a modern day horse. HAHAHAHA

The Comanche developed a successful economic empire based on diplomacy, raiding, control of resources, and an ever-expanding population. This vast resource base and population led to a surplus and market economy out of sync with the ecological base. Despite evolving a dual economy based on hunting and pastoralism, in order to adapt to a changing environment, the empire’s influence rapidly declined. The reason for this loss of hegemony was economic.

Page 148- “The practical matter of trade, however, was foremost in the Comanche agenda, and the chief promptly moved to explain how Comanches desire for European technology created ready markets for American goods: “ we are in want of Merchandize and Shall be Always glad to trade with you on friendly terms… You have everything we want.”

Page 85- “The stealing and selling of horses was central to this dynamic of simultaneous exchange and exploitation.”

The Comanches developed an economy in which they had total control of the market because of the influence horses played in society. The development of horses during this period was vital because of the wealth they brought to the empire. Horses were worth a lot during this time and Comanche’s exploited this during their rise to “fame”.

Page 127- “In addition to bulk provisions, Comanches obtained from the fairs a wide variety of luxuries and manufactured goods- raw sugar, cigarettes, scissors, soap, mirrors, saddlebags, hatchets, war axes, lances, knives, scarlet cloth, serapes, woolens, cloaks, indigo, and vermilion.”

Page 39- “The Comanche expansion was also tied to the increasingly intricate requirements of exchanged, production, and raiding. To sustain their lucrative trade, they needed steady access of slaves.”

Slaves also played an important use to Comanches as well. During the switch to pastoralism, the Comanche needed extra labor around their ranches and slaves were used for extra labor as well as trade.

Page 247 “But rather than binding themselves in an economic deadlock, Comanches managed- undoubtedly through trial and error- to weave intensive herding and full- time hunting into a smoothly running dual economy.”

The Comanches form of pastoral agriculture concerned with the farming of horses and cattle. Pastoralism was a shift from a singular hunting economy. Bison were becoming scarce and the Comanche successfully made the transition to this dual economy; that being pastoralism and hunting.

Page 361 ‘The Comanche empire was not a tightly structured, self sustaining entity but rather a continually transmuting set of intersecting networks of power, and when those networks began to crumble, so did the system itself.”

In conclusion, the overpopulated empire depleted its resources of bison in the face of drought and disease leading to an economic failure. Without their economy they were powerless.

Essay Question: Pick one aspect within the Comanche Economy and discuss its role in the Empire?