Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

What was a significant effect of the development of barbed wire in the American west?

1. It improved irrigation methods

2. It facilitated the spread of diseases among livestock

3. It caused major outbreaks of tetanus and nearly ruined the economy

4. It increased the population of cattle

The correct answer is: It caused major outbreaks of tetanus and nearly ruined the economy

The development of barbed wire had several significant impacts on the American West, with its role in fencing land being crucial. By enabling ranchers and farmers to enclose their properties, barbed wire transformed the landscape from open range to more structured, privately owned parcels of land. One of the important repercussions was indeed related to livestock and health concerns. With cattle increasingly confined to specific areas due to the use of barbed wire, there were heightened incidents of injuries, particularly from the sharp wires. This led to increased cases of tetanus among cattle, which could contribute to significant economic challenges for ranchers due to cattle deaths and the inability to manage livestock effectively. The fencing limited the natural grazing patterns of cattle, which could further complicate agricultural practices and contribute to economic downturns in affected regions. Other choices do not accurately capture the primary effects of barbed wire. For instance, while it influenced agricultural practices, it did not specifically improve irrigation methods. The spread of diseases among livestock could relate to various factors but is not directly controllable or facilitated by barbed wire itself in a significant way. Similarly, while the cattle population may have been influenced by numerous factors, barbed wire doesn't inherently cause an increase in population, as it often restricted movement and