Final answer:
The open range of the Great Plains initially allowed for free cattle grazing, with the cattle industry flourishing through cattle drives. However, the introduction of barbed wire and investment from eastern businessmen transformed the industry into a more consolidated and efficient operation, signaling the end of the open range era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The open range covered much of the Great Plains and provided land where cattle ranchers could graze their herds free of charge. Initially, cattle ranching on the Great Plains was synonymous with the iconic cattle drives. Ranchers and cowboys drove their cattle over open lands to railheads, which allowed for transportation to markets in the East.
However, the era of the open range came to an end as ranchers started fencing their properties with barbed wire, thereby limiting grazing availability and marking the beginnings of private land ownership in the Great Plains.
With the introduction of barbed wire and the expansion of railroads, eastern businessmen invested in ranches, leading to the end of cattle drives. Ranching became a more organized industry, pushing out the smaller ranchers and consolidating into larger operations.
This change reflected a shift toward mechanization and mass production in the cattle industry, closely aligning with the broader trends of the Industrial Revolution.