After the Civil War, many freed slaves became cattle ranchers. Cattle ranchers at the time could use open-range ranching, or ranching on free government lands. Why was this type of ranching so popular?
The described type of ranching was popular because the ranchers did not need to own their own lands.
Explanation:
The free open lands offered by the government could be used by anyone for letting their cattle graze on them.
These lands stretched over long areas and made great pastures with an abundant supply of fodder.
The ranchers did not have to pay to the government for grazing their cattle on such lands.
The free of cost availability of such an important resource required for rearing dairy animals motivated more and more freed slaves to practice ranching.
