Changes on the Western Frontier Cowboys and Legends Edition

Cattle Become Big Business The introduction of horses and cattle in the New World by the Spanish created the need for the 1 st Cowboys in Mexico. The first cowboys were Native Aztec prisoners. Vaqueros = Spanish for cowboy Many aspects of cowboy culture – food, clothing, and vocabulary- are borrowed from the Spanish ranchers of Mexico

Spanish Vaquero- Meaning -American Cowboy Spurs Chaparreras Charqui Caballo Bronco Mestẽnos Rancho Corral Rodeo Lareata Spurs Chaps Jerky Bronco or Bronc Mustang Ranch Corral Rodeo Lariat Metal spurs used to control horse Leather overalls to protect legs from brush Dried strips of meat Rough horse Stray or wild horse Cattle farm Holding pen for cattle Competition Rope

Bandana The cowboy kerchief or bandana was another thing one could not be a cowboy without. The bandana had many uses, most notably as a dust mask while driving cattle kicking up dirt, as earmuffs in cold weather, as protection from sunburn on the neck, as a pot holder for hot pots or branding irons, as prevention against snow blindness in winter, a tourniquet or sling in case of injury and just in case they were planning to rob the stage, it made a nifty mask!. Red was the most common color and it could be made of silk, cotton or linen. Much like today, the bandana was generally folded into a triangle and tied around the neck, but with the knot in the back.

The Truth About Cowboys Myth – All cowboys were white males –Truth – 25% were African American and 12% were Mexican or Native American Myth – Cowboys fought and shot villains –Truth – Cowboys more likely to die from a riding accident or pneumonia than in an ambush by outlaws Myth – Cowboys were hard drinkers, gamblers, and cursed a lot. –Truth – Most employers forbid such conduct. Myth – Cowboys led exciting, wild life-styles, full of adventure –Truth – The average cowboy was broken down by the time they were 40 by working hour days on the ranch and hour days on the trail Myth – Cowboys participated in gun fights at high noon. –Truth – They may have carried a gun, but probably never shot anyone. Myth – Good guys wore white hats and bad guys wore black hats –Truth – Cowboys wore all types and colors of hats

Importance of the Railroad Before the Civil War - poor transportation of food / livestock After the Civil War - immigration Chicago meat packing plants could process the beef if they could find a way to transport the cattle. By 1866, the railroad reached Midwest!

The End of the Cattle Frontier 1. Overgrazing of Land *too many animals on the land destroyed the grass 2. Extended Bad Weather *1883 Drought *1887 Worst Blizzard in Am. History 68 degrees below with 60 mile an hour winds 3 days of snow at 1 inch an hour 40% - 90% of the livestock were lost in what is known as the “Die Up” 3. Invention of Barbed Wire *Joseph Glidden introduced barbed wire fencing 1874 *Ranchers started using higher quality cattle and running smaller herds that required more care and fencing *Significant because barbed wire was the major factor in transforming the open plains into a series of fenced in ranches and farms. Ended the Era of the Wide-Open West.

Changes on the Western Frontier

Settlers Flock Westward Rapid settlement of the Great Plains was possible because of two factors *Federal Land Policy *Completion of transcontinental railroad lines

Impact of the Railroads : huge federal land grants given to railroad companies to encourage building 1 st transcontinental railroad – 1869 Railroad sold extra land to farmers Railroads sent recruiters to Europe

Homestead Act 1862 The government would give the head of the household 160 acres free if homesteaders would live and make improvements on the land for 5 years.

Problems with the Act Homestead Act Land Railroad Companies & Speculators Miners & Woodcutters Only 10% of land went to Homesteaders Cattlemen

Exodusters Kansas invited African Americans from the south to settle in the state. (See poster page 231 or above) Settled in communities across Kansas –Nicodemus

Oklahoma Land Grab Race Sooners: Those who snuck into the territory early and claimed land sooner than they should have. The land run started at high noon on April 22, 1889, with an estimated 50,000 people lined up for their piece of the available two million acres (8,000 km²).

Settlers Meet the Challenges on the Plains Drought Floods Fires Blizzards Insect Infestations Occasional raids by Indians or Outlaws Not all 160 acres were equal in quality

Technical and Educational Support for Farmers New Equipment Steel Plow – 1837 – John Deere Reaper – 1834 – Cyrus McCormick Grain Drill – 1874 Barbed Wire – 1874 Cordbinder (Harvester) 1878 Reaper that could cut and thresh (Fore-runner of Combine) Windmills

Educational Support Morrill Land Grant Act 1862 and 1890 Hatch Act 1887

Farmers in Debt Low Crop Prices High Shipping Rates High Interest Rates High Cost of Machinery