Cattle, Cotton, and Railroads Study Guide

Texas Longhorns

A breed of cattle introduced to Texas by Spaniards in the mid 1800s, known for their hardiness and ability to withstand harsh conditions.

Cowboy Era

The period during which cowboys drove cattle northward, particularly after the Civil War.

Chisholm Trail

A cattle drive trail created by Joseph McCoy after the Sedalia Trail shut down, running from Texas to Kansas.

Sedalia Trail

The first main cattle trail, which was forced to close after 20 years due to issues like disease and farmer agitation.

Barbed Wire

Invented by Joseph F. Glidden in 1873, it revolutionized fencing but was disliked by cowboys.

Range Wars

Conflicts between cowboys and farmers over fencing and cattle drives, leading to new laws regarding land ownership.

Goodnight-Loving Trail

A trail used for transporting goods beyond cattle, created through collaboration between two businessmen.

Farming Advances

Techniques like dry farming and the use of windmills that enabled agriculture in arid regions.

Extreme Weather Impact

Several droughts followed by a blizzard led to significant cattle losses, known as the 'Big Die-up'.

Cotton

Became the most significant crop in Texas; faced challenges from pests like the Boll Weevil.