Final answer:
Close to one-third of cowboys were either Hispanic or African American, with the cowboy culture borrowing heavily from the Mexican ranchers. Approximately twelve thousand African Americans worked as cowboys, while many Hispanic citizens influenced the cowboy tradition as vaqueros.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the period between 1865 and 1885, cowboys of varying ethnic backgrounds herded cattle across the Great Plains of the United States. Of the estimated forty thousand cowboys, close to one-third were either Hispanic or African American. This significant minority reflects the diverse nature of the cowboy culture in the American West, which also borrowed heavily from the Mexican ranchers who had been working the lands long before the concept of the American cowboy took hold. The Hispanic influence is clearly seen in the saddles, lassos, chaps, and lariats that became iconic symbols of cowboy culture.
The number of African Americans who became cowboys was also noteworthy. By 1890, over 500,000 Black individuals resided west of the Mississippi River, and of these, approximately twelve thousand worked as cowboys during the Texas cattle drives. Furthermore, many African Americans also contributed as soldiers, known as "Buffalo Soldiers," in various conflicts during western expansion.
Despite facing significant discrimination and poverty, both African Americans and Mexican Americans made substantial contributions to the culture and development of the western United States. While many Hispanic citizens were relegated to lower-paying jobs, some became vaqueros, directly influencing the cowboy heritage. Likewise, African Americans overcame the adversity of racism and segregation to forge new lives and careers in the West.