1. What is happening in these pictures?

2. 9,000 of these cowboys were black.
35,000 cowboys herded cattle along
western trails.
9,000 of these cowboys were black.

3. After the slaves were freed, many worked on
Texas ranches.
Others had already lived in Texas and herded
cattle for their masters before they were
freed.

4. Who is this famous
black cowboy?
Bill Pickett

5. Black and white cowboys had to work, eat, and sleep together.
What is racial
discrimination?
Black and white cowboys had to work,
eat, and sleep together.
Racial discrimination still occurred.

6. But, black cowboys were treated much
better on the range than anywhere
else.

7. Black cowboys were
skilled. Their ranch
bosses valued
their skills on the
ranch. They were
also talented bull
riders and bucking
broncos!

8. By the late 1890’s, there were railroads all over the country.
How did this affect
cattle drives and herding?

9. The era of the “Old West”
and cowboys and cattle
trails lasted about
20 years. It is remembered
as a very unique time in
America’s history!