Range war facts for kids

A range war was a fight, usually violent, that happened mostly in the American West during the 1800s and early 1900s. These conflicts were about who controlled the "open range". This was land that anyone could use for grazing cattle. The wars often started because of disagreements over water rights, grazing rights, or who owned the cattle.

What Were Range Wars?

Range wars happened before the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934. This law started to control how public land could be used for grazing. Before this law, land was often used freely.

Some famous range wars included:

• the Pleasant Valley War
• the Johnson County War
• the Fence Cutting Wars
• the Sheep Wars

These conflicts show how important land and resources were in the Old West.

Range Wars in Stories and Movies

Range wars have been a popular topic in many books and films. They often show the struggles between different groups.

Movies and TV Shows

• Range War (1939) is a movie about ranchers fighting a railway company.
• The Virginian (1902 novel, adapted into films) was based on the Johnson County War. It showed the side of the large ranchers.
• Shane (1953) is a movie where a gunfighter helps farmers against cattlemen. This story was inspired by the Johnson County War.
• The Redhead from Wyoming (1953) also features a fictionalized Johnson County War.
• Man Without a Star (1955) stars Kirk Douglas in a story about range conflicts.
• El Dorado (1966) is about a gunfighter helping a lawman in a range war.
• Chisum (1970) is loosely based on the Lincoln County War. This war was more about business competition.
• Centennial (1978) has an episode called 'The Shepherds'. It shows a range war between cattlemen, farmers, and sheepherders.
• Heaven's Gate (1980) is also loosely based on the Johnson County War.
• Open Range (2003) shows free-grazers fighting a cattle baron. He tries to use hired fighters to steal their cattle.
• A range war was part of an episode of Gunsmoke, an old radio show.
• The TV show Dallas used a range war as a plot in its 12th season.
• King of Texas (2002) is a TV movie that puts the story of Shakespeare's King Lear in the American West.

Books and Music

• Range War (2000) is a novel by Lauran Paine about the Johnson County War.
• To The Last Man: A Story of the Pleasant Valley War is a novel by Zane Grey. It explores the Pleasant Valley War in Arizona.
• "Johnson County War" is a 1989 song by Chris LeDoux.
• "The Range War" is a song by Todd Rundgren. It tells a story about a boy and girl from rival cattle and sheep families.

Modern Use of "Range War"

Today, the term "range war" is sometimes used in a different way. It can mean a non-violent competition for limited resources. For example, it might describe disagreements between ranchers and environmental groups. Or, it could be used for conflicts between ranchers and people who want to protect wild horses.

"Range war" can also be a slang term for a "turf war." This means a disagreement about who is in charge or who has control over something. It's often used in a joking way in politics or business.