🌶️New Mexico History Unit 4 – Territorial Period and Early Statehood

Key Events and Timeline

• New Mexico became a U.S. territory following the Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848
• The Compromise of 1850 officially established New Mexico Territory, which included present-day Arizona and parts of southern Colorado
• The Gadsden Purchase in 1853 added the southern portion of New Mexico and Arizona to the U.S., establishing the current southern border with Mexico
• The American Civil War (1861-1865) saw brief Confederate control of New Mexico Territory, including the Battle of Glorieta Pass in 1862
• The Long Walk of the Navajo in 1864 forcibly relocated the Navajo people to Bosque Redondo reservation in eastern New Mexico
• The arrival of the railroad in 1879 connected New Mexico to the rest of the U.S., spurring economic growth and population increase
• New Mexico achieved statehood on January 6, 1912, becoming the 47th state in the Union

Political Developments

• The territorial period saw a shift from Mexican to American political control and the introduction of a new legal system based on English common law
• The territorial government consisted of a governor appointed by the U.S. President, a bicameral legislature, and a territorial court system
• The Santa Fe Ring, a group of powerful Republican lawyers and politicians, dominated territorial politics and controlled land grants and economic resources
  • Members included Thomas B. Catron, Stephen B. Elkins, and L. Bradford Prince
• The question of statehood was a major political issue, with debates over the inclusion of Arizona and the role of Hispanic and Native American populations
• The Spanish-American War of 1898 led to increased American nationalism and support for statehood among New Mexico's Anglo population
• The election of 1911 saw the victory of the pro-statehood Democratic Party, paving the way for New Mexico's admission to the Union

Economic Changes

• The territorial period saw a shift from a subsistence economy based on agriculture and livestock to a more diversified economy with the growth of mining, ranching, and trade
• The arrival of the railroad in 1879 opened up new markets for New Mexico's products and brought an influx of Anglo settlers and investors
  • Major railroad companies included the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway and the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad
• The discovery of gold, silver, and copper led to a mining boom, with major mines in Silver City, Mogollon, and the Ortiz Mountains
• Cattle and sheep ranching expanded, with the introduction of new breeds and techniques by Anglo ranchers like John Chisum and Charles Goodnight
• The growth of commerce and trade led to the development of new towns and cities along the railroad lines, such as Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and Raton
• Tourism began to emerge as a new industry, with the promotion of New Mexico's unique landscapes, cultures, and health benefits

Social and Cultural Shifts

• The territorial period saw significant demographic changes, with the influx of Anglo settlers, the displacement of Native American populations, and the continued presence of Hispanic communities
• The Anglo population increased from around 1% in 1850 to over 50% by 1912, leading to a shift in political and economic power
• Native American populations, particularly the Navajo and Apache, faced forced relocation, loss of land, and cultural suppression through policies like the reservation system and boarding schools
  • The Long Walk of the Navajo in 1864 and the establishment of the Bosque Redondo reservation were major events in this process
• Hispanic communities faced discrimination and loss of land and resources, but also maintained strong cultural traditions and identities
  • The Penitentes, a lay Catholic brotherhood, played an important role in preserving Hispanic religious and cultural practices
• The arrival of the railroad and the growth of cities led to new social and cultural influences, including the spread of Protestant churches, fraternal organizations, and Anglo cultural norms
• Education became a major focus, with the establishment of public schools, universities, and other institutions
  • The University of New Mexico was founded in 1889 in Albuquerque

Influential Figures

• Kit Carson (1809-1868), a famous frontiersman and U.S. Army officer, played a key role in the American conquest of New Mexico and the forced relocation of the Navajo people
• Stephen W. Kearny (1794-1848), a U.S. Army general, led the American forces in the Mexican-American War and served as the first military governor of New Mexico Territory
• Miguel Antonio Otero (1859-1944), a prominent Hispanic politician, served as the territorial governor of New Mexico from 1897 to 1906 and advocated for statehood and the rights of Hispanic citizens
  • He was the first Hispanic governor of the territory and played a key role in the statehood movement
• Thomas B. Catron (1840-1921), a powerful Republican lawyer and politician, was a member of the Santa Fe Ring and served as one of New Mexico's first U.S. Senators
• Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy (1814-1888), a French Catholic priest, served as the first Archbishop of Santa Fe and played a major role in the religious and cultural life of New Mexico
  • He oversaw the construction of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, which remains a major landmark and cultural center
• Bronson M. Cutting (1888-1935), a progressive Republican politician, served as a U.S. Senator from New Mexico and advocated for social and economic reforms
  • He played a key role in the passage of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which aimed to restore tribal sovereignty and self-governance

Territorial Challenges

• The territorial period was marked by conflicts and challenges, including disputes over land ownership, political corruption, and cultural clashes
• The issue of land grants was a major source of conflict, with many Hispanic and Native American communities losing land to Anglo speculators and ranchers
  • The Court of Private Land Claims, established in 1891, was intended to resolve these disputes but often favored Anglo claimants
• Political corruption was widespread, with the Santa Fe Ring and other powerful interests controlling the territorial government and courts
  • The Lincoln County War of 1878-1881, a conflict between rival factions over control of land and resources, was a notable example of this corruption and violence
• Cultural conflicts arose between Anglo, Hispanic, and Native American communities, with issues of language, religion, and social norms
  • The suppression of Native American religious and cultural practices, such as the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and the Ghost Dance movement of the 1890s, was a major source of tension and resistance
• Economic challenges included the boom-and-bust cycles of the mining industry, the impact of overgrazing on the environment, and the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few elite families and corporations
• Health and social issues, such as the spread of disease, poverty, and violence, also posed significant challenges to the territorial society and government

Path to Statehood

• The question of statehood was a major political issue throughout the territorial period, with debates over the inclusion of Arizona, the role of Hispanic and Native American populations, and the balance of power between political parties
• The Enabling Act of 1906 allowed New Mexico and Arizona to hold constitutional conventions and draft state constitutions, but required Arizona to remove a provision for the recall of judges
  • This led to a delay in Arizona's statehood until 1912, after New Mexico had already been admitted
• The election of 1911 was a major turning point, with the victory of the pro-statehood Democratic Party and the election of William C. McDonald as the first state governor
  • The election also saw the election of two Hispanic congressmen, Benigno C. Hernández and Elfego Baca, reflecting the growing political power of the Hispanic population
• The statehood bill was signed by President William Howard Taft on January 6, 1912, making New Mexico the 47th state in the Union
  • The admission of New Mexico and Arizona as separate states helped to maintain the balance of power between free and slave states in the Senate
• The state constitution, drafted in 1910, established a bicameral legislature, a supreme court, and a system of county governments
  • It also included provisions for the protection of Hispanic and Native American land grants, language rights, and cultural traditions
• The transition to statehood brought new challenges and opportunities, including the growth of the oil and gas industry, the expansion of agriculture and ranching, and the development of new cities and infrastructure

Legacy and Impact

• The territorial period and early statehood had a lasting impact on the political, economic, and cultural landscape of New Mexico
• The Anglo-American conquest and settlement of New Mexico led to the displacement and marginalization of Native American and Hispanic populations, as well as the loss of land and resources
  • This legacy of colonialism and dispossession continues to shape issues of land rights, water access, and cultural identity in New Mexico today
• The growth of extractive industries, such as mining and oil and gas, brought economic development but also environmental degradation and social inequality
  • The boom-and-bust cycles of these industries have left many communities in New Mexico struggling with poverty, unemployment, and health issues
• The cultural diversity of New Mexico, shaped by the interactions and conflicts of Anglo, Hispanic, and Native American communities, remains a defining feature of the state's identity and heritage
  • The preservation and celebration of traditional arts, crafts, and festivals, such as the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, are important expressions of this diversity
• The political legacy of the territorial period, including the dominance of the Democratic Party and the influence of Hispanic and Native American voters, continues to shape New Mexico politics today
  • New Mexico has a history of electing women and people of color to high office, including the first Hispanic U.S. Senator, Dennis Chavez, and the first Native American woman in Congress, Deb Haaland
• The educational and cultural institutions established during the territorial period and early statehood, such as the University of New Mexico and the New Mexico Museum of Art, continue to play important roles in the state's intellectual and artistic life
  • The state's unique blend of Anglo, Hispanic, and Native American influences is reflected in its architecture, cuisine, music, and literature, from the adobe buildings of Santa Fe to the works of authors like Rudolfo Anaya and Leslie Marmon Silko