2. Lesson Objectives To identify and explain the reasons why the Open range ended To evaluate which reason was most significant To show links between reasons To attempt a 12 mark question

3. Some farmers were beginning to experiment with different breeds There was a diminishing supply of grass The drought in 1883 Demand for beef began to fall No longer profitable to keep huge herds Severe winter of 1886-7

4. The period 1880-85 was the peak of ranching on the plains. Ranching was seen as a sure way of making money. As cattle prices rose, cattle ranchers put more and more animals on to the open range. This put pressure on the stock of grass. The drought of 1883 added to this problem, as the grass withered. At the same time, the demand for beef in the East began to fall and so, therefore, did the prices paid for cattle. Since prices were falling, the ranchers kept their cattle on the range instead of sending them for slaughter, which increased the pressure on the grass stocks even more. Then came the final blow. The winter of 1886-87 was especially severe. Thousands of cattle died in the icy blizzards and freezing cold. Something like 15% of herds died in the worst hit areas - it was impossible to be sure since ranchers never knew how many cattle they had.

5. How did wind pumps and wire help create closed ranching? More sensible to create smaller quantities of better quality beef. Animals contained by invention of barbed wire in 1874. Initially cut by Homesteaders due to being cut off from water supplies. The wind pump use the strong winds across the Plains to power pump to draw water from underground. Ranches could be sited anywhere, rather than being near to water.

6. ‘How important was the harsh winter 1886 – 7 in the end of the Open Range? 12 Marks, 17 minutes Level 1: Simple statements about the harsh winter. (1-2 marks) Level 2: Answer talks briefly about several factors to do with the question OR Answer explains one factor in detail and has good spelling and grammar (3 – 6 marks) Level 3: Answer explains several factors in detail and uses specific key words (7-10 marks) Level 4: Same as level 3 but with a clear, supported conclusion that evaluates which factor was most important or shows links between factors.

7. The question you have to ask is was it actually a war? Johnson County is in Wyoming, in the High Plains. Cattlemen had established ranches there during the 1870s. Homesteaders began to move in during the 1880s. The fight for land was on.The cattle barons had a lot of power particularly when one of their supporters became the State Governor in 1890. The cattle barons were loosing stock to rustlers. They believed that the Homesteaders were the rustlers. The barons brought in a vigilante army to deal with the rustlers. The farmers found out and planned their own attack. The US Cavalry was brought in to end an almost bloodless war. Barons were never allowed the same amount of power again.