How did the end of the civil war affect the cattle industry?

The Civil War dramatically changed the cattle industry. Thousands of Texas ranchers went to fight in the war; sadly, many of them died in the war. In their absence, Texas cattle broke down fences and reproduced on the grasslands. After the war, there were thousands of unclaimed cattle in Texas. The end of the Civil War resulted in many young people needing work, especially Southerners, as well as rapid growth in the railroad industry.

The civil war had a huge impact on the Texan cattle industry. Most of the fighting had taken place in the south, and this left the economy and cattle industry in ruins. Herds had been left un-managed during the war and had become half-wild by the time it had ended.