🌶️New Mexico History Unit 3 – Mexican Period and the Santa Fe Trail

Historical Context

• New Mexico was a part of Mexico from 1821 to 1846 following Mexico's independence from Spain
• The Mexican Period saw significant changes in New Mexico's political, economic, and social landscape
• The opening of the Santa Fe Trail in 1821 connected New Mexico to the United States, facilitating trade and cultural exchange
• The Mexican government encouraged American trade and settlement in New Mexico to promote economic growth and stability
• The influx of American traders and settlers led to increased tensions between the Mexican government and the growing American presence in the region
• The Mexican Period ended with the outbreak of the Mexican-American War in 1846, resulting in the U.S. annexation of New Mexico through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848

Key Figures and Explorers

• William Becknell, known as the "Father of the Santa Fe Trail," led the first successful trading expedition from Missouri to Santa Fe in 1821
• Josiah Gregg, a trader and explorer, wrote the influential book "Commerce of the Prairies" (1844), which provided detailed accounts of the Santa Fe Trail and life in New Mexico
• Manuel Armijo, the last Mexican governor of New Mexico (1827-1846), played a crucial role in shaping the territory's policies and relations with the United States
  • Armijo initially welcomed American trade but later grew concerned about the increasing American influence in the region
  • He implemented policies to regulate trade and protect Mexican interests, but these measures were often ineffective due to corruption and lack of enforcement
• Kit Carson, a famous frontiersman and explorer, served as a guide on the Santa Fe Trail and played a significant role in the American conquest of New Mexico during the Mexican-American War
• Charles Bent, an American trader and the first civilian governor of New Mexico under U.S. rule, was assassinated during the Taos Revolt of 1847, which reflected the ongoing tensions between Mexicans, Native Americans, and the American occupiers

The Santa Fe Trail: Origins and Development

• The Santa Fe Trail was a 900-mile trade route connecting Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fe, New Mexico
• The trail was officially opened in 1821 following Mexico's independence from Spain, which lifted trade restrictions
• The route followed existing Native American trails and trade routes, such as the Cimarron Cutoff and the Mountain Branch
  • The Cimarron Cutoff was a shorter but more dangerous route that crossed the dry Cimarron Desert
  • The Mountain Branch was longer but had more reliable water sources and less exposure to Native American raids
• The trail crossed through the territories of various Native American tribes, including the Comanche, Kiowa, Cheyenne, and Arapaho
• Trading caravans, known as "wagon trains," typically departed from Missouri in the spring and returned in the fall, taking about two months each way
• The trail faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather conditions, rugged terrain, and the threat of Native American attacks
• The U.S. government established military forts along the trail to protect traders and settlers, such as Fort Bent and Fort Union

Trade and Economic Impact

• The Santa Fe Trail facilitated a lucrative trade between the United States and Mexico, with goods flowing in both directions
• American traders brought manufactured goods, such as textiles, hardware, and firearms, to New Mexico in exchange for silver, gold, and mules
• The trade boosted the economies of both the United States and Mexico, stimulating the growth of frontier towns and cities along the trail (Independence, Council Grove, Santa Fe)
• The trail also facilitated the exchange of agricultural products, with American traders introducing new crops and livestock to New Mexico, such as apples, peaches, and sheep
• The growing trade led to the development of a unique system of credit and bartering, as well as the emergence of a class of wealthy merchants in New Mexico known as "ricos"
• The economic benefits of the Santa Fe Trail were not evenly distributed, with many Native American tribes and poor Mexican farmers left out of the prosperity
• The trail's success eventually contributed to the United States' desire to annex New Mexico, as the region became increasingly tied to the American economy

Cultural Exchange and Interactions

• The Santa Fe Trail facilitated cultural exchange between Anglo-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans
• Traders, settlers, and travelers brought their customs, languages, and beliefs to New Mexico, leading to a unique blend of cultures
• The trail exposed New Mexicans to American ideas of democracy, capitalism, and manifest destiny, which challenged the traditional social and political order
• Anglo-Americans were introduced to Hispanic culture, including the Spanish language, Catholic religion, and adobe architecture
• The trail also facilitated the spread of Native American art and crafts, such as Navajo blankets and Pueblo pottery, which became popular trade items
• Intermarriage between Anglo-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans became more common, leading to the emergence of a mixed-race population known as "mestizos"
• The cultural exchange was not always peaceful, as the influx of Anglo-Americans led to increased tensions and conflicts with both Hispanics and Native Americans

Political Shifts and Governance

• The Mexican Period saw significant political instability in New Mexico, with frequent changes in government and leadership
• Mexico's centralist policies and neglect of the frontier regions led to growing discontent among New Mexicans
• The Mexican government struggled to maintain control over the vast and sparsely populated territory, leading to a breakdown in law and order
• The increasing American presence in New Mexico challenged Mexican sovereignty and authority, as traders and settlers often disregarded Mexican laws and customs
• The United States began to view New Mexico as a strategic gateway to the Pacific and a potential source of mineral wealth, leading to a growing desire for annexation
• The outbreak of the Mexican-American War in 1846 led to the U.S. invasion of New Mexico and the eventual annexation of the territory through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848
  • The treaty ended the war and ceded vast portions of northern Mexico to the United States, including New Mexico
  • The treaty also granted U.S. citizenship to Mexicans living in the annexed territories, but many faced discrimination and loss of land and property rights under the new American regime

Legacy and Historical Significance

• The Santa Fe Trail played a crucial role in the westward expansion of the United States and the eventual annexation of the American Southwest
• The trail facilitated the growth of trade, commerce, and cultural exchange between the United States and Mexico, laying the foundation for future economic and diplomatic relations
• The Mexican Period and the Santa Fe Trail left a lasting impact on the cultural, social, and political landscape of New Mexico
  • The unique blend of Anglo-American, Hispanic, and Native American cultures continues to shape the state's identity and heritage
  • The legacy of the trail can be seen in the numerous historic sites, landmarks, and place names throughout New Mexico (Santa Fe Plaza, Bent's Old Fort, Raton Pass)
• The Mexican Period also highlighted the complex and often conflictual relationships between the United States, Mexico, and Native American tribes in the Southwest
• The experiences of traders, settlers, and travelers along the Santa Fe Trail contributed to the mythologizing of the American West and the romanticization of the "frontier spirit"
• The study of the Mexican Period and the Santa Fe Trail offers valuable insights into the processes of colonization, cultural exchange, and nation-building in the 19th-century American Southwest

Key Dates and Events

• 1821: Mexico gains independence from Spain; William Becknell leads the first successful trading expedition from Missouri to Santa Fe, opening the Santa Fe Trail
• 1824: Mexico adopts a new constitution and becomes a federal republic; New Mexico is designated as a territory
• 1829: The Escuela de Dolores school is established in Santa Fe, marking the beginning of formal education in New Mexico
• 1832: The Abiquiú Revolt, led by Native Americans and poor Mexican farmers, challenges the authority of the Mexican government and the wealthy "ricos" class
• 1835: Texas declares independence from Mexico, leading to increased tensions and military presence along the Santa Fe Trail
• 1837: The Chimayó Rebellion, a popular uprising against Mexican rule, is suppressed by Governor Manuel Armijo
• 1841: The Texan Santa Fe Expedition, an attempt by the Republic of Texas to seize New Mexico, ends in failure and imprisonment for the Texan participants
• 1846: The United States declares war on Mexico; General Stephen W. Kearny leads the American invasion of New Mexico, occupying Santa Fe without resistance
• 1847: The Taos Revolt, a rebellion against American occupation, results in the assassination of Governor Charles Bent and the execution of the revolt's leaders
• 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War, with Mexico ceding New Mexico and other territories to the United States; the Santa Fe Trail becomes a domestic trade route within the United States