How did the cattle industry develop after the Civil War? Starter: How could railways benefit the United States? Challenge: Was the Pacific Railroad Act successful in its aims?

What do you already know about ‘Cowboys’ in the American west What do you already know about ‘Cowboys’ in the American west? Discuss with your partner.

Ranching first started in Texas, with ranches mostly manned by Mexican cowboys called vaqueros. In 1836 Texan ranchers drove many Mexicans out, and claimed the cattle left behind. The Civil War started in 1861, and Texans went off to fight -the cattle roamed free as huge herds grew up. On returning home, the Texans started rounding them up and driving them to sell in places such as New Orleans and California. The price of cattle was worth much more outside the south ($40 in Chicago, $5 in Texas) The mass building of railway track in the west by the Pacific Railroad Act accelerated the growth of the cattle industry.

Joseph McCoy buys land in Abilene, Kansas to turn it into a ‘Cowtown’ John Iliff builds ranch of 16,000 acres and makes millions selling beef to reservations. Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving open trail from Texas, through New Mexico to Wyoming.

Learning Tasks First, everyone do this: Then choose one of these: Read pp. 50-53 and complete your chronological narrative sheet on the growth of the cattle industry. Read pp. 55-56 and draw a Venn diagram to show the similarities and differences between life on the ‘Long Drive’ and the ‘Ranch’ systems. Then choose one of these: Target 7,6,5 Make the connection: Pacific Railroad Act – European emigration to USA Homestead Act – decline of Native Americans Target 4,3 Which of the two government incentive; Homestead Act (1862) or the Pacific Railroad Act (1862) do you think had the biggest impact on the settlement of the west? Target 9, 8 The ‘Pacific Railroad Act’ and ‘Homestead Act’ did more harm than good in 19th Century America.

Key point 1 – Joseph McCoy Key point 2 – Creation of Goodnight-Loving Trail Key point 3 – Cattle Barons This led to… This led to…

The Long Drive Ranching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaHQ2vrt0ak Cattle were ‘driven’ from Texas to Kansas, which took 2-3 months Difficult due to threat of stampede, cattle getting lost or injured, crossing rivers, dealing with wild animals, negotiating with Indians to use their land. Involved 3,000 cattle with 12 cowboys. Outfit always had a chuck wagon with food and supplies. Bosses made $100 per month, and the rest earned $24-$30 Travelled 15-20 miles per day Cattle would be auctioned and sold at Abeline. Slept on the ground Cowboys often spent their earnings on alcohol, gambling and prostitution. Ranches were large farms in Texas where cattle roamed free (open range) During the winter, ranches did not employ many cowboys so they would work in bars. Cowboys who did work on a ranch through winter would repair equipment, ride out to see if animals had got into any difficulty. In the Spring, cowboys would perform a ‘round-up’ where they would work together to find all the scattered cattle and separate them into groups. They were then branded to show which ranch they belonged to. Usually in early 20s, older cowboys found new jobs or set up their own ranches. Would live in a bunkhouse – some had strict rules regarding alcohol and gambling Both working with cattle Both employ cowboys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaHQ2vrt0ak

Key point 1 – Creation of Goodnight-Loving Trail Goodnight and Loving used 18 cowboys to drive 2,000 cattle through hostile Indian land to reach Fort Sumner (which was close to starvation). Due to high demand at fort, they sold their cattle for four time the price and made $12,000 Key point 2 – Joseph McCoy 1867, Kansas Pacific railroad reached Abilene, McCoy realises that Abilene was well located to be used as transit point for cattle drives. He bought 45 acres of land and built stockyards to hold cattle. He made a deal with rail company to build a depot on side of track to load 100 railcars. A hotel was also built. He spent $5,000 marketing Abilene Key point 3 – Cattle Barons The cattle industry during this period was dominated by a small minority of men who were propped up by these wealthy investors. They were known as “cattle barons” due to their ability to control politics and almost all land in territories like Colorado and Wyoming. This led to… The popularity of the trail meant thousands used it throughout the 1860s. It went through many towns near the railroads in Kansas which inspired many to capitalise on this. This led to… Other cattle drives begin to use the trail to Wyoming, which results in Wyoming developing its own cattle industry. Due to Wyoming’s booming cattle industry, it was seen a ‘sure thing’ to make money. Wealthy investors pump money into cattle industries in Wyoming and Colorado.