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Origins of the Cattle Kingdom

Discover the origins of the Cattle Kingdom as the first cattle were brought to America by Spain in the 1500s. Ranchers utilized the ideal conditions in Texas for raising cattle and embarked on profitable cattle drives to eastern cities post-Civil War. Learn about cowboy myths and the end of cattle drives, shaping the economy.

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Origins of the Cattle Kingdom

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  1. Origins of the Cattle Kingdom

  2. Cattle Introduction • First cattle brought to America were brought by Spain in the 1500s • Herds of cattle escaped ranches and began grazing across Texas • Climate, abundant water, and nutritious grass made Texas ideal for raising cattle

  3. Ranchers use the Open Range • Even though there was an abundance of cattle, they had little value • Were mostly sold for hides and fat • Ranchers began driving cattle to eastern cities for better markets

  4. Trail Driving • After the Civil War beef prices in the East made cattle drives profitable • Texas=$4/head • East =$30-40/head • Railroad towns allowed Texas cattle to sell in the east • St. Louis, Chicago • Most drives took place in spring so cattle could feed

  5. Cowboys find Trouble • First trails went through Missouri, but farmers began complain about crops being eaten • From 1860-1870 cattle drives began moving further west into Kansas • As the railroad expanded cattle drives moved into Colorado

  6. The End of Cattle Drives • Farmers in the mid-west began using barbwire to keep cattle from eating crops • The supply of cattle was more than the demand so drives were no longer profitable • By 1885 the railroad had expanded into Texas

  7. Cowboy Myths • Hard, unglamorous work • Worked long hours • 18 hours a day in the saddle • Spent winter unemployed • Most cowboys were AA and MA

  8. Assignment • Trace the map on page RA20 • Include Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico, and Colorado • Copy the map on page 415 • Add the four cattle trailsand railroads • Label the following cities: • Texas: Dallas, Fort Worth, Fort Concho, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Belknap, Kerrville • Missouri: Sedalia, Baxter Springs • Kansas: Kansas City, Topeka, Abilene, Ellsworth, Dodge City • Colorado: Denver, Pueblo • On the back create a 3 sentence paragraph explaining why cattle drives were important for the Texas economy

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