Cattle, Cotton, RR and Oil

Which of the following best describes why the cattle industry grew rapidly in the late 1800s in Texas?

• With ranching land abundant, and the northern demand for beef, many Texans began cattle ranching to take advantage of the profits earned.

• After the Civil War, the demand for beef declined, so many Texans became cotton farmers instead.

• With the large amount of farmland, and the new technological advancements such as the windmill, it was easier for farmers to grow crops in west Texas.

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  After the Native Americans were moved to reservations, Texans had more farmland to grow cash crops such as cotton and wheat.

Cowboys faced many dangers on the trail to bring their cattle to market. Stampedes, severe weather, and conflicts with the Native Americans were among some of the problems they faced. Some may think the life of a cowboy is glamorous, but that is far from the reality.

What can you infer based on the information above?

• Very few cows actually survived the journey to market.

• A cowboy’s job was to fight the Native Americans.

• Most cowboys worked in comfortable and relaxing conditions.

• The work of a cowboy was often life-threatening.

Which of the following is a true statement about the beginnings of the cattle industry in Texas?

• The first French explorers introduced cattle ranching in Texas, starting with La Salle.

• The cattle ranching industry has Spanish roots because the original vaqueros (cowboys) were Spanish.

• The cattle ranching was first perfected in Great Britain, and Texans copied their techniques

• Cattle Ranching has always been an American tradition, and was brought to Texas when Stephen F. Austin established his first colony in Texas.

Which of these is a reason for people to come to Texas after the Civil War?

• Religious freedom

• to start a cattle ranch or cotton farm

• to start a cattle ranch or cotton farm

• to escape a tyrannical Confederate government

Buffalo Soldiers’ main charge [duty] on the frontier was to -

• negotiate treaties with Native Americans

• Work as bounty hunters under the Fugitive Slave Act

• protect settlers

• Patrol and look for ex Confederate soldiers

Person A

A white settler who was kidnapped by Comanche as a child and was then “rescued” by a Texas Ranger as an adult.

Person B

Former Texas Ranger and Governor of Texas. Helped rescue a struggling Texas A&M University

Person C

Texas politician who helped lead to reforms and regulations against railroad pooling and monopolies

Person D

Comanche Chief who led raids against Texas settlers. Did not believe in reservations or peace treaties.

Which of the following accurately matches the description to the person?

• A: Cynthia Parker B: “Sul” Ross C: Quanah Parker D: James Hogg

• A: Cynthia Parker B: “Sul” Ross C: James Hogg D: Quanah Parker

• A: James Hogg B: Quanah Parker C: Cynthia Parker D: “Sul” Ross

• A: Quanah Parker B: James Hogg C: “Sul” Ross D: Cynthia Parker

Which of the following was mostly responsible for the closing of the open range in Texas?

• beginning of the cattle drives

• dividing and selling of acreage from large ranches

• generation of wind power

• development of barbed wire

In which way are Longhorns related to Spanish settlement in Texas?

• The Spaniards used Longhorn cattle to protect their missions

• The Spaniard’s cattle bred with English cattle to produce the Longhorn

• The Spaniards found and domesticated the Longhorn, which were native to Texas

• The Spaniards brought the Longhorn with them from Spain

Vaqueros can be described as -

• Spanish explorers that searched for the seven cities of gold.

• German immigrants that invented branding.

• Spanish cowboys that perfected ranching techniques.

• American settlers that introduced cattle ranching to the Spanish.

 Lawrence Sul Ross is significant for all of the following EXCEPT -

• Served as president of the agricultural and mechanical college of Texas. (A&M)

• Assisted in the rescue of Cynthia Ann Parker.

• Sold land to American settlers through the Spanish empresario system.

• Served as Governor of Texas.