Question

which of the following factors contributed to the end of the open-range-system
1. an increase in the price of beef
2. the invention of barbed wire
3. the development of railroads
4. the disappearance of big mining companies

Answer 1

The invention of barbed wire.

Answer 2

The correct answer is option 2 - the invention of the barbed wire.

In 1874, the invention of barbed wire and the wind pump meant that there was no need for the open range and that the cows could be kept in one place and the invention of the wind pump meant that water could be drawn from underground so the cattle did not need to be moved for water either.

Also, the lack of demand for beef dropped the prices of cattle. This meant that there was less profit to be made for the cattle ranchers. Also, the feed of plain grass did not give a good quality of the meat due to which it lost value.

Overall, the open range ended because it stopped making the cattle barons any money.