The Changing Role of the Cowboy (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Author
Zoe WadeExpertise
History
What did Cowboys do in the American West? - Summary
The main role of a cowboy was to transport cattle from one location to another. This process, known as a cattle drive, involved herding cattle on horseback. Cowboys guided the cattle along established trails to reach markets or railheads. From here, the cattle were sold or transported by rail to other locations. During cattle drives, cowboys faced numerous challenges. These included unpredictable weather conditions and difficult terrain, including rivers and mountains. There was also a threat of stampedes or attacks by predators. Cowboys had to be skilled horsemen. Cowboys managed their cattle by using equipment such as lassos. Beyond their duties with cattle, cowboys often lived a nomadic lifestyle. They spent long periods outdoors and travelling to different locations as needed. The role of cowboys changed on ranches. Cowboys constructed and maintained infrastructure such as fences, water sources and holding pens. Cowboys branded cattle, rounded them up for vaccination and provided basic medical care. They worked closely with ranchers and collaborated with other cowboys. |
Cowboys and the Long Drive
Herding cattle from the southern states to the North was very challenging
Using the Chisolm Trail took two to three months
Using the Goodnight-Loving Trail could take up to six months
Texan Longhorn cattle could stampede when scared
Stampeding cattle could become injured, reducing their price
In addition, cowboys could lose cattle, decreasing profits for the cattle owner
The long drive was dangerous for cattle and cowboys
Cowboys had to navigate cattle through water
Snakes and other wild animals could attack the cattle
Cowboys may pass through land occupied by indigenous tribes, risking attack
Outlaws attempted to steal cattle and could attack cowboys
Herding up to 3,000 cattle required a clear organisational system:
After transporting the cattle to cow towns, cowboys:
Cleaned up and bought new clothes
Drunk alcohol, gambled, fought and visited prostitutes
Often spent all their money in cow towns
Borrowed money to get back to Texas to find more work
Exam Tip
Students often think of cowboys as outlaws who regularly had gunfights. Cowboys often carried firearms for self-defence and protection. Cowboys faced threats from wildlife, criminals and indigenous tribes. While there were instances of gunfights involving cowboys, they were relatively rare compared to other aspects of cowboy life.
Cowboys and Ranching
In the winter, cattle in Texas lived on ranches and roamed freely
Ranchers did not employ many cowboys
During this time, cowboys either:
Found other work, for example, bartending
Travelled from ranch to ranch to earn money
Employed cowboys on ranches
Repaired equipment
Helped cattle on the open range
Planned the next long drive
In the early spring, cowboys began the round-up
A round-up boss managed cowboys from multiple ranches
The cowboys worked their way back to a central area, collecting cattle
Some cattle were challenging to find or became stuck in marshes or quicksand
Cowboys spotted the branding on each cow to collect them into the correct group
Working on ranches was difficult work
Older cowboys tended to establish their own ranches
Most cowboys on ranches were in their early 20s
Cowboys on smaller ranches would live with the ranch owner
Most cowboys lived communally in bunkhouses
Bunkhouses were more comfortable than sleeping outside on the open range but were cold in the winter
Cowboys on ranches had little fun
Ranchers often had strict rules for cowboys
Dances occurred in towns only once or twice a year
How did Ranching on the Open Range Change the Cowboys' Way of Life?
Cattle drives took days rather than months
Ranches on the Plains were closer to the railheads
Open-range ranching was an issue in the winter
Cattle struggled to feed on grass under snow and ice
The cowboys had to rescue cattle from snowdrifts and find them sheltered spots to graze
Sometimes cowboys lived in sod houses in the winter to protect the cattle. This was very lonely and cold
Worked Example
Explain the importance of changes in ranching for the cowboys’ way of life
8 marks
Partial answer:
Ranching on the open range changed the cowboys' way of life as it made their lives more uncomfortable (1). Before open-range ranching, cowboys lived in bunkhouses with other cowboys. In open-range ranching, during the winter, the cowboys lived alone in sod houses to protect the cattle (1). This was an important change in their way of life because it meant that they spent the winter cold and alone (1). This made their way of life worse, increasing their feelings of isolation and making the job less collaborative than they had previously experienced (1).
Exam Tip
This style of question in the exam paper would be worth 8 marks. An examiner would expect you to write two paragraphs analysing the importance of an event on a wider theme like migration.
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