Topic 11 - Conflict and tension

Question 1

What limited the effectiveness of marshals as law enforcers?

Answer 1

Each marshal had to preside over a very large area

Question 2

What limited the effectiveness of sherriffs as law enforcers?

Answer 2

Sheriffs often had their own personal interests outside of the law and occasionally took sides in a dispute

Question 3

Describe two forms of law enforcement that were not sanctioned by the state?

Answer 3

1. Vigilante groups/posses: to hunt down specific criminals

2. Groups resembling local militia (e.g. the texas ranger): to keep the law in specific areas

Question 4

1. Name: Billy the Kid
2. Occupation: ……..
3. Skill: ……….
4. Crimes: ………..
5. Kill count: ………
6. Role in the lincoln county war: ……..

Answer 4

2. Occupation: Outlaw/gunslinger
3. Skill: Proficiency with firearms
4. Crimes: Cattle rustling and murder
5. Kill count: between four and eight
6. Role in the lincoln county war:
   - hired by ranchers to protect their cattle
   - Took part in some shootouts of the war

Question 5

What was the significance of Billy the Kids role in the Lincoln County War?

Answer 5

It showed that ranchers sometimes employed known outlaws in their disputes

Question 6

1. Name: Wyatt Earp
2. Occupation: ……..
3. Skill: ……….
4. Crimes: ………..
5. Kill count: ………
6. Role in the gunfight at the OK Corral: ……..

Answer 6

2. Occupation: Gambler, lawman, deputy
3. Skill: Proficiency with firearms
4. Crimes: Horse theft and murder
5. Kill count: Around 8
6. Role in the Gunfight at the OK Corral:
   - fought with some outlaw cowboys over a dispute about horse thefts
   - Killed several of his opponents

Question 7

What happened to Wyatt Earp as a result of his role at the OK Corral?

Answer 7

He was accused of murder but was acquitted on the grounds that his action was justified

Question 8

What does comparing Billy the kid and Wyatt Earp tell us about the comparison between lawmen and lawbreakers in the west?

Answer 8

Lawmen and lawbreakers could be quite hard to tell apart in the west

Question 9

What were the range wars?

Answer 9

conflicts, most often between Ranchers and homesteaders, over land rights

Question 10

Give three reasons as to why the Johnson County War was fought

Answer 10

1. Because there was a dispute between ranchers and homesteaders
2. Ranchers accused homesteaders of stealing cattle and fencing land
3. Homesteaders accused ranchers of restricting water for farming, and of fence cutting

Question 11

Who fought for the ranchers and homesteaders in this conflict?

Answer 11

1. Sherriff fought for one of the sides

2. Gunslingers were hired

Question 12

What was the importance of the Johnson County War?

Answer 12

• The end of the war resulted in less power for large ranchers, and instead the increase of power to more formal law enforcement
• It was the last war of its kind to be fought, and so it was the end to the ‘wild west’ as law and order increased over the following years