The Western Expansion

105 Words1 Pages
During the Western Expansion farmers, as cattle ranchers or cowboys, drove cattle across the plains. Their cattle ranches were founded throughout the Great Plains from Texas to the Prairie regions. Cowboys were not only whites, but blacks and hispanics. They were an important part of expansion because the need for food increased with the railroad industry growing. A prominent cattle rancher during the Western expansion was Joseph McCoy. He eventually created one of the most enterprising cattle ranching businesses in Texas and Kansas. When cattle ranchers petitioned for the creation of a wide trail running through Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, Congress denied the request.