1. Ranchers and Farmers 18.2

2. Cattle on the Plains Longhorns were a tough breed of cattle the Spanish brought with them when they settles Mexico & Texas. Longhorns were a tough breed of cattle the Spanish brought with them when they settles Mexico & Texas. They gradually spread throughout Texas. They gradually spread throughout Texas.

3. Cattle on the Plains Most of Texas was open range – not divided by fences. Most of Texas was open range – not divided by fences. Ranchers used brands - a symbol burnt into the animals’ hides to show who owned the cattle. Ranchers used brands - a symbol burnt into the animals’ hides to show who owned the cattle.

4. Railroads and Cow towns Markets for beef in the East increased. Markets for beef in the East increased. Cattle would be driven from Texas to Sedalia, Missouri, the nearest railroad point. There they would be placed on a train to move east. Cattle would be driven from Texas to Sedalia, Missouri, the nearest railroad point. There they would be placed on a train to move east. Cow towns developed along the drive routes. Cow towns developed along the drive routes. When a cowhand was done with his drive they would enjoy some time off in a cowtown. When a cowhand was done with his drive they would enjoy some time off in a cowtown. Cow towns ran very much like boomtowns – they were lawless. Cow towns ran very much like boomtowns – they were lawless.

5. The Long Drive – 1,000 miles to the railroad Cattle driving. What was it like? It was hard work. It was hard work. Cowhands rode in saddle for up to 15 hrs in all kinds of weather. Cowhands rode in saddle for up to 15 hrs in all kinds of weather. Life on trail was lonely. Life on trail was lonely. “Rustlers” tried to steal cattle. “Rustlers” tried to steal cattle. Stampedes where thousands of cattle run in panic were the greatest dangers to cowhands. Stampedes where thousands of cattle run in panic were the greatest dangers to cowhands.

6. Who became a cowhand? Veterans of the Confederate army Veterans of the Confederate army African Americans in search of a better life African Americans in search of a better life Hispanics known as “vaqueros” that came from the Spanish Southwest Hispanics known as “vaqueros” that came from the Spanish Southwest Both African Americans and Hispanics were discriminated against just like they were in the rest of the nation. Both African Americans and Hispanics were discriminated against just like they were in the rest of the nation.

7. What equipment did a rancher own? Wide-brimmed hats to protect themselves from the sun Wide-brimmed hats to protect themselves from the sun Leather leggings called chaps to protect themselves from brush and cattle Leather leggings called chaps to protect themselves from brush and cattle Lariats to lasso straying cattle Lariats to lasso straying cattle

8. End of the Cattle Kingdom Cattle ranching spread out of Texas and cowhands began to ranch rather than complete the yearly Long Drive. Cattle ranching spread out of Texas and cowhands began to ranch rather than complete the yearly Long Drive. Because so many cattle were going to market, the price of cattle also decreased in the mid 1880s making ranching less attractive. Because so many cattle were going to market, the price of cattle also decreased in the mid 1880s making ranching less attractive. Ranchers switched from raising cattle to farming. Ranchers switched from raising cattle to farming.

9. Farmers settle the Plains Early pioneers did not believe they could farm the dry, treeless area of the Plains. Early pioneers did not believe they could farm the dry, treeless area of the Plains. But by the 1860’s farmers came, settled, and planted. But by the 1860’s farmers came, settled, and planted. Why were settlers coming to the Plains? Railroads made the journey easier and cheaper. Railroads made the journey easier and cheaper. New laws offered free land. New laws offered free land. Above average rainfall in 1870s made farming a success! Above average rainfall in 1870s made farming a success!

10. Homestead Act In 1862, Congress passed it which gave 160 free acres of land to a settler who paid a filing fee and lived on the land for five years. In 1862, Congress passed it which gave 160 free acres of land to a settler who paid a filing fee and lived on the land for five years. Farmers began to homestead – earn ownership of land by settling on it. Farmers began to homestead – earn ownership of land by settling on it. Homesteading brought immigrants to the Plains and single and widowed women. Homesteading brought immigrants to the Plains and single and widowed women.

11. Homesteading the Plains Both the railroad and steamships which brought immigrants to the US advertised land for sale in the Plains. These advertisements were known as broadsides. Both the railroad and steamships which brought immigrants to the US advertised land for sale in the Plains. These advertisements were known as broadsides. African Americans also came to the Plains because federal protection under the Reconstruction Act of 1877 would be over. African Americans also came to the Plains because federal protection under the Reconstruction Act of 1877 would be over.

13. Farmers Frontier & Families Climate was the biggest challenge. Climate was the biggest challenge. Farmers faced both droughts and at times, too much rain! Farmers faced both droughts and at times, too much rain! Brush fires often took place when there were droughts. Brush fires often took place when there were droughts. Believe it or not, plagues of grasshoppers would eat all the crops. Believe it or not, plagues of grasshoppers would eat all the crops. Winters were harsh and farmers would have to planning ahead to survive winters. Winters were harsh and farmers would have to planning ahead to survive winters.

14. Families of the Plains Men labored hard in the fields. Men labored hard in the fields. Women worked hard in the fields and cared for children. Women worked hard in the fields and cared for children. Women maintained household, the family’s health, and education. Women maintained household, the family’s health, and education. Children would work and many times farm work prevented them from attending school. Children would work and many times farm work prevented them from attending school. Most families would go into debt because farming proved to be very difficult. Most families would go into debt because farming proved to be very difficult.

15. New Farming Methods The first Plains farmers were known as sodbusters; they needed new methods and tools to farm the dry land. The first Plains farmers were known as sodbusters; they needed new methods and tools to farm the dry land. Farmers began to dry farming - to plant seeds deep where there was moisture using steel plows. Farmers began to dry farming - to plant seeds deep where there was moisture using steel plows. Other new tools were used – windmills to pump water from deep in the earth and barbed wire to protect their land because they couldn’t find wood for fences. Other new tools were used – windmills to pump water from deep in the earth and barbed wire to protect their land because they couldn’t find wood for fences.

16. The Oklahoma Land Rush “Indian Territory” The federal govt’ opened up Oklahoma to homesteaders. 10,000 people lined up on opening day was April 22, 1889, to charge across the land to make a claim. By 1890 the government announced that the frontier no longer existed - all land was claimed. By 1890 the government announced that the frontier no longer existed - all land was claimed.