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| | Cowboy is a name, used in the Wild West of USA with respect to shepherds of cattle. Epoch of cowboys began from 1865, when it was necessary to drive away wild herds of bulls, predominantly in territory of Texas. This epoch ended about twenty years later. About one third of cowboys were Negroes, who got freedom after civil war, but without proper work or property.
After 1930s, nostalgic, glorifying opinion of cowboys has become a fashion in America. It reverberated in musical style of country, comics, advertisements, clothes and also in cinema (Refer to Western). Cowboy's hat, boots, vest, checkered buttoned shirt with double yokes (western yokes), lasso and revolver are considered as indispensable attributes of cowboy.
Other cowboy names in American English include words such as cowpoke, cowhand, cowherd and cowpuncher. Cowpunchers, named in the honor of men, carrying hats, wearing boots, made from spiky thickets, possess short lasso and pen cattle in railway wagons. Cowpunchers operated on the territories of New Mexico and Texas.
First immigrants reached North America in XVI century. These were not the cowboys, whom we know. For long time, they remained mainly near the coasts of Atlantic Ocean, forming United States and not aspiring to move further deep into the country. However, by the beginning of XIX century, immigrants moved towards the West. By 1820, the border passed along the river Mississippi. After 25 years, Texas was annexed in USA and by the year 1853, country already occupied territory, which is still with it. Migration of thousands of Americans to West started to start a new life.
Pathfinders and hunters were sent first and then farmers with their families. Three tracks were made from East to West from Saint Louis and Natchez (river Mississippi) and Fort Smith (river Arkansas). What forced men and some women to become cowboys?
One of the main reasons was Civil war between the North and the South, which forced over three million people to take up arms. People returned home after the victory of North in 1865.
However, the period was difficult and the work was not sufficient for all.
Thus, yesterday's soldiers-heroes were compelled to be employed as simple cowboys. Would it be incorrect to tell that only poor people joined as cowboys? Youth from rich families also went for this job. But it was more as display of rebelliousness and craving for adventures. However, life of cowboys was not completely romantic. It was dirty, more often, monotonous and always difficult. |
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The Lone Star State will be of paramount importance in Obama-Hillary battle for the Democratic party nomination. Whoever gets Texas gets the nomination, and Texas is best known for its cowboy culture - something both Obama and Hillary need to charm the Texas voters.
