Barbed Wire

Definition

Barbed wire is a type of steel fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strands. It was used extensively in the late 19th century to fence in cattle and other livestock on vast ranches.

Related terms

Homestead Act (1862): This act granted public lands to small farmers, leading to widespread settlement and farming across America’s heartland.

Open Range System: A system where cattle were allowed to roam freely without fences or boundaries.

Cattle Drives: The process of moving herds of cattle from one place to another, usually driven by cowboys.