Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
The Johnson County War (1892) (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
What Did the Johnson County War Show About Tension Between Homesteaders and Cattle Ranchers? -Summary
In Johnson County, Wyoming, conflicts between homesteaders and cattle ranchers escalated into violence. Cattle ranchers controlled vast areas of land and relied on open grazing. They resented how the homesteaders used the open range. The cattle barons viewed homesteaders as trespassers and wanted them off of the land.
Due to increasing tensions, homesteaders and cattle ranchers organised themselves into associations. Armed confrontations occurred between the two groups. In 1892, a group of Texan gunmen arrived in Johnson County. The cattle barons paid for the gunmen. They tasked them to eliminate alleged rustlers and troublemakers among the homesteaders. Their plan was unsuccessful. The local law enforcement and community protected homesteaders from this attack. The standoff ended with the US Army restoring order.
The Johnson County War exposed the strong tensions between homesteaders and cattle ranchers. It highlighted the extent to which cattle ranchers would protect their economic interests and political power. It demonstrated the challenges of coexistence. There was high competition between different groups seeking to claim the land and resources of the Plains.
What was a Range War?
The cattle were on the open range
Arguments between the rich cattle barons, homesteaders and smaller ranchers occurred because of this
When these arguments became violent, they became known as the Range Wars
Different groups fought for control over the land
The biggest range war was in Johnson County
Causes of the Johnson County War
Long-term | Medium-term | Short-term |
|---|---|---|
In the 1870s, huge cattle ranches developed in Wyoming, Rich, British investors financed the ranches. Cattle barons began to take over more land for their huge cattle ranches | In the winter of 1886-1887, smaller ranches coped better. Larger ranchers accused smaller ranches of cattle rustling. In court, the jury was mostly ‘ordinary’ small ranchers and homesteaders. Many suspected cattle rustlers were not punished | In 1889, a powerful cattleman named Albert Bothwell accused homesteaders Ella Watson and Jim Averill of stealing his cattle. Averill made the tension worse by calling big ranchers ‘nothing but rich land-grabbers’. As a result, Bothwell hung Watson and Averill and took their land and cattle for himself |
The cattle barons held important positions in government and became local court judges. The governor of Wyoming (Governor Barber) openly supported the cattlemen | Cattle barons created the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA). The WSGA banned small ranchers suspected of rustling from the spring round-up. Cattle barons wanted to take the law into their own hands | Homesteaders and small ranchers set up their own ‘Association’ in 1892. They deliberately set out on the spring round-up a month before the larger ranches |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The exam may require you to understand the narrative of the increasing tension between homesteaders and cattle ranchers. Ensure that you understand the core reasons why homesteaders and cattle ranchers fought over the Plains.
Events of the Johnson County War
The Significance of the Johnson County War
Positive consequences | Negative consequences |
|---|---|
The power of cattle barons decreased. Many residents thought that the cattlemen were wrong for their actions | The cattlemen were not brought to justice. This is because:
|
Due to changes in the cattle industry, cattle barons reduced their ranches and fenced off their land. This reduced tensions between homesteaders and cattle ranchers |
Worked Example
Explain the importance of the Johnson County War for homesteading on the Plains
8 marks
Partial answer:
The Johnson County War was important to homesteading because it showed the extent to which cattle barons would go to protect the open range. One of the causes of the Johnson County War was the lynching of two homesteaders by a powerful cattleman named Albert Bothwell. This was important for homesteading as it showed how dangerous a profession it was. Cattle barons held great power and wealth. They could use this to legally or physically hurt homesteaders. Therefore, the Johnson County War showed that cattle barons would resort to violence to protect their interests from homesteaders.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
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. A good response to this style of question would have:
A logical structure of paragraphs. Within each paragraph, each sentence should link to the next. This will build a strong argument as to why the event is important to the wider theme
Specific own knowledge linked to the event, showing in-depth knowledge of the period
A clear explanation as to why the event was important to a wider theme. In the example above, you can see the phrase 'This was important for homesteading.' This helps to keep the response focused on the question
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