The document discusses the closing of the open range in the American West. It describes how barbed wire, invented by Joseph Glidden in the 1870s, made large-scale fencing inexpensive and easy, allowing farmers and ranchers to fence off their land. This led to the disappearance of the open range cattle kingdom as lands became enclosed by fences. It also caused conflicts known as range wars between small landowners and large cattle outfits over issues like blocked roads and fenced water sources. By the 1880s, many states had passed laws against fence cutting and regulating fencing rights in an attempt to resolve range disputes. Overgrazing, expanded farming and ranching, railroads, and other factors also contributed to the end of

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