The true history of cowboys and the roles they played in American society is not well known. The concept originated in Mexico, but quickly the idea of cowboys grew steadily in America. During the early 1700’s, ranching became a popular way of life in the Southwest. As time went on, livestock practices became more and more popular across the country. In the mid 1800’s, cowboys were a key contributor to the country’s Westward expansion. Railroad advancement in the West also aided in cowboys being able to transport livestock more efficiently long distances.
In 1865, post Civil War, the Union Army was in dire need of beef as they had used a large majority of it during battle. This brought even more livestock to the West which required more cowboys. For every 3,000 cattle, it took around eight to twelve cowboys to move them. As time went on and the demand for cattle increased, the fight for land became more intense. This brought about the concepts of open ranges and barbed wires. The Great Plains became a huge commodity for White cowboys who were given the opportunity to use the land for little to nothing as they raised cattle. In a month, these cowboys would earn between $25 to $40 a month.
Cowboys were not just helpful in raising and managing cattle. They were also known to aid in horsecare, building and/or repairing buildings and fences, and help establish upcoming frontier towns. After an average 15 hours of hard, physical labor, cowboys commonly lived together in bunkhouses. In their free time they would play cards, sing songs, play instruments and write in journals.