Final answer:
Barbed wire, patented by Joseph Glidden in 1873, revolutionized the American West by ending communal grazing and igniting Fence Cutting Wars. It allowed large ranch owners to claim lands, leading to violent conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The introduction of barbed wire was a significant factor in transforming the American West. Joseph Glidden's patented design in 1873 made it possible to easily and cheaply fence large areas of land. This led to the end of communal grazing and contributed to conflicts, such as the Fence Cutting Wars in Texas, where tensions between ranchers and itinerant herders who owned no land escalated into violence and vandalism. The so-called "devil's rope" not only altered the landscape for settlers and ranchers but also had profound effects on Native American tribes by restricting their land access and traditional way of life.
The impact of barbed wire was multifaceted: it enabled large ranch owners to claim prime grazing lands and water sources, which was devastating for smaller herders who could no longer access these essentials. This restriction of movement and resources led to a series of fence wars and spurred acts of retaliation from those affected, including the destruction of fences and setting prairie fires. The state's response was to introduce tougher penalties for fence-cutting and increased law enforcement, such as the Texas Rangers, to protect property rights.