The Fence Cutting Wars in Texas

The fence cutting wars grew out of a dangerous policy of selling off the public domain. Land monopolies and enclosures had aroused a spirit of agrarianism among the poorer classes. The fence cutters were soon suppressed by armed guards who were bitterly labelled the mounted cossacks of the cattle barons. But it is an interesting moment, because this is not the end of these radical movements. In a lot of ways, this is the beginning of people who sart to recognize that not only do they have local, domestic enemies, but also class enemies.