Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byVivian Daniel Modified over 8 years ago
1
Chapter 21: The Cattle Kingdom Section 4: The Closing of the Open Range
2
Fencing the Open Range Problems: –Farmers wanted to keep stray cattle out of crops –Little wood on plains to build fences –Illinois woman asks husband to create a fence to keep dogs out of garden
3
Barbed Wire
4
Fencing the Open Range Joseph F. Glidden— Illinois farmer who invented barbed wire Joseph Glidden
9
Fencing the Open Range Glidden opened a factory to produce wire “Light as air…cheap as dirt” Made large scale fencing easy & inexpensive
10
Fencing the Open Range The cattle kingdom began to disappear after fences started to enclose the open range
11
The Range Wars Barbed wire presented problems: –Small property owners surrounded –Public roads blocked off & mail delivery disrupted –Water sources fenced off
12
The Range Wars Range War—armed conflict over fencing and sheep that erupted during the 1880s
13
The Range Wars Fence cutting becomes a major issue 1884: Gov. John Ireland calls an emergency session of the legislature: –Fence cutting illegal –Gates every three miles –Illegal to fence land you do not own
14
The Range Wars In parts of Texas that were too rugged and dry for cattle, some ranchers turned to sheep herding.
16
Legacy of the Open Range Death of the Open Range: –Barbed wire and fencing of open range –Extension of rail lines & refrigerated railcars –Overgrazing of land
17
Legacy of the Open Range Death of the open range: –Introduction of windmills & expansion of farming onto the Plains –Expansion of sheep ranching Cattle ranching an important part of Texas’ legacy & economy
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.