Explain why Oklahoma’s plains were slowly enclosed as ranchers began to embrace closed-range ranching. In your answer, identify at least two factors that caused this change to take place.

Answer:

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Ranchers across the Great Plains began to raise cattle on small, enclosed lands because of the arrival of the railroad. As rails stretched across America, they provided greater access to markets. Longer cattle drives became unnecessary, and ranchers could avoid taking large herds on long drives over land. Ranchers also were helped by the invention of barbed wire. This simple tool allowed them to fence off their lands and protect grazing areas from other cattle drives.