Cowboy Information
The Texas cattle economy affected one other states the MOST. Which one was this?
The state was Kansas.
Where did the word "cowboy" originate from and what was the original word?
The word "cowboy" originated from Mexico and the original word was vaquero.
Who is known to have invented the barbed wire?
Joseph Farewell Glidden is known to have begun the invention of the barbed wire.
What made up most of the population of those who were involved in sharecropping?
The vast majority of those involved in sharecropping were freed blacks. However struggling whites and hispanics were also involved.
What created the majority of the population in convict leasing?
The vast majority of those in convict leasing were African Americans. However, there were some whites and other races as well.
Why did some cattle towns fail after the short-term cattle drive economy ended?
Some of the cattle towns failed because they had no long-term business and did not have the stability to function without the cattle business.
Name two states (in the United States) in which cowboys can still be found today.
If you named two of any one of these you are correct:
Texas, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana.
The barbed wire was the first _______ barrier the areas had ever seen. Fill in the blank.
The barbed wire was the first man-made barrier the areas had ever seen.
Why were some forced to join sharecropping in the first place?
They were forced to join sharecropping because they had no other way to sustain themselves and could not find a good job.
What institution was one of the components that lead into convict leasing?
The Black Codes made it very easy for many African Americans to be sent to prison and from there they went into convict leasing.
There were different opinions over what community cattle towns should have. What were they?
There was an argument over those who wished to build a community and those who just lived in cattle towns temporarily, in search for money.
Names three main cattle towns in Kansas.
If you names three of any of these you are correct:
Witchita, Dodge City, Ellsworth, Caldwell, or Abilene
The barbed wire affected a specific Native American tribe the MOST. Which tribe was this?
The barbed wire affected the Great Plains Tribe the most.
What is a basic definition of sharecropping?
Sharecropping is when a land owner provides someone with part of their land in return for part of the crops grown on the land.
What is a basic definition of convict leasing?
Convict leasing involved using prisoners to work on farms and ranches, doing free labor. This was similar to slavery, but there wasn't necessarily an "owner" and they weren't being sold.
The head of Texas cattle were driven from Texas ranches to Kansas over two decades. Which decades were they?
1866-1885
The development of cattle towns in Kansas sprang up in response to what?
It was in response to the arrival of the railroads.
How were Native American tribes affected by the barbed wire?
The Native Americans roamed freely and the barbed wire fences kept them restricted from certain areas.
Sharecropping was mainly stopped by what event and why?
Sharecropping was stooped by The Great Depression because the economy collapsed.
Convict leasing arose in response to what major event?
Convict leasing (and Black Codes) arose in response to the freedom of slaves.
What was a extremely popular route for cattle drives?
The Chisholm Trail.
Who determined that Abilene, Kansas would make a good stopping point for cattle drives before the trip east?
Joseph McCoy.
If you named three of any of these reasons, you are correct:
The barbed wire was cheap, durable, it took up little space, it had no effect on soil, created no shade, and did not have any impact on vegetation.
Why did people go into large amounts of debt when involved in sharecropping?
The ran into large amounts of debt because since they weren't actually gaining any money the tools, seeds, and supplies needed had to be "borrowed" from the land owner in return for more crop payment. This cycle continued to happen and the debt became larger and larger.
What problem created the downfall of convict leasing?
The huge number of deaths was one of the problems that influenced the downfall of convict leasing because it became a problem people no longer ignore.