In the text, you read this about ranching after the Civil War: Ranchers employed cowhands to tend their cattle and drive herds to market. These hard workers rode alongside the kept the cattle moving and rounded up strays. After the Civil War, veterans of the Confederate Army made up the majority of the cowhands who worked in Texas. However, it is estimated that nearly one in three cowhands was either Mexican merican or African American. Some cowhands dreamed of setting aside enough money to start a herd of their own. Use the passage to answer the question. Why might recent events have led to many African Americans working for ranchers?

Question

In the text, you read this about ranching after the Civil War:  Ranchers employed cowhands to tend their cattle and drive herds to market. These hard workers rode alongside the kept the cattle moving and rounded up strays. After the Civil War, veterans of the Confederate Army made up the majority of the cowhands who worked in Texas. However, it is estimated that nearly one in three cowhands was either Mexican merican or African American. Some cowhands dreamed of setting aside enough money to start a herd of their own. Use the passage to answer the question. Why might recent events have led to many African Americans working for ranchers?
1. During the Civil War, many African Americans went west to work on railroads.
2. After the end of slavery, African Americans could move and find new work.
3. In the 1850s, many free African Americans from the north became ranchers.
4. During Reconstruction, African American politicians promoted ranching.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The correct answer is: **2. After the end of slavery, African Americans could move and find new work.** This option explains that with the abolition of slavery, many African Americans sought new opportunities, including working as cowhands for ranchers.