The Lincoln County War was a conflict that took place in New Mexico from 1878 to 1881. It primarily involved rival factions vying for control of the lucrative cattle and dry goods trade in the area. The war was marked by violence, including gunfights and assassinations, as local ranchers and businessmen clashed over power and resources. Key figures in the conflict included Billy the Kid, a notorious outlaw who became a symbol of the lawlessness of the time. The war ended with the intervention of the territorial government, but it left a lasting impact on the region's history and contributed to the mythos of the American West.