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Explain two of the following: - The importance of changes in ranching for the cowboys' way of life - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 3
Explain two of the following: - The importance of changes in ranching for the cowboys' way of life. - The importance of the Exoduster movement (1879) for the growth... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain two of the following: - The importance of changes in ranching for the cowboys' way of life - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
The importance of changes in ranching for the cowboys' way of life.
Answer
The evolution of ranching brought significant changes to the life of cowboys.
Firstly, the introduction of barbed wire in 1874 allowed ranchers to enclose large amounts of land. This meant that cowboys had to adapt their traditional practices, as they were no longer able to drive cattle across open ranges freely. The use of fenced ranches provided a more organized approach to cattle management but limited the cowboys' freedom and connection to the vast landscapes they once roamed.
Secondly, the desire to run ranches profitably led to a shift in the roles of cowboys, moving them from a position of skilled cattle drivers to a more constrained lifestyle, bound by the rules of the ranching business. This often included living in bunkhouses and adhering to strict schedules which limited their leisure activities, such as drinking and gambling. Thus, ranching changes greatly influenced the traditional cowboy lifestyle.
Step 2
The importance of the Exoduster movement (1879) for the growth of settlement.
Answer
The Exoduster movement represented a crucial phase in the westward expansion of the United States.
Firstly, this movement, which involved thousands of African Americans migrating to Kansas, was fueled by the desire for a better life away from the oppressive conditions in the South. This influx of settlers not only contributed to the economic development of Kansas but also established a significant African American community in the West, fostering cultural growth and diversity in the region.
Furthermore, figures like Benjamin Singleton played a vital role in promoting this migration, highlighting the prospects of owning land and achieving freedom. The settlement patterns established by the Exodusters laid the groundwork for future communities and development in the West, significantly impacting the demographic landscape and reinforcing claims of land during a time of increasing settlement.