History quiz

What caused the cattle drives?

The demand for beef in the Eastern United States: After the Civil War, the population of the Eastern United States grew rapidly as immigrants from Europe flooded the country. This population boom created a growing demand for beef, which could not be met by local farmers alone.

The availability of open range land in the West: The vast majority of the land in the Western United States was still open range, meaning that it was not owned by anyone and could be used for grazing cattle. This made it possible for ranchers to raise large herds of cattle without having to buy or lease land.

The development of the railroad: The construction of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 made it possible to transport cattle from the West to the East quickly and cheaply. This opened up a huge new market for Western ranchers and made cattle drives a viable business.

The invention of the six-shooter: The six-shooter revolver, invented in 1836, gave cowboys a powerful tool for defending themselves against predators and outlaws. This made it possible for ranchers to drive their cattle across open range without fear of attack.