What was New Mexico like before it became a state?

Spanish Exploration

The first Europeans to arrive in the area known as New Mexico were Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. They were led by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, who was searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. He and his men didn’t find any gold, but they did find a large, diverse group of Native American tribes living in the area.

The Spanish built settlements and imposed their culture on the native peoples. They introduced Christianity, built missions and churches, and used the natives as labor to work in the mines and fields. The Spanish also brought their language, food (such as chile peppers), animals (such as horses), and music to New Mexico.

Pueblo Revolt

The Spanish treatment of the Native Americans led to the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. The Pueblo people, who had been struggling under Spanish rule for many years, united and drove the Spanish out of the area. The Spanish attempted to retake the territory but were unsuccessful. The Pueblo people maintained their independence for the next 12 years.

Re-establishment of Spanish Rule

In 1692, the Spanish retook New Mexico and established Santa Fe as the capital. The Spanish continued to rule New Mexico for over a century until 1821 when Mexico gained its independence from Spain.

Mexican Rule

After gaining its independence from Spain, Mexico ruled New Mexico until 1848 when the United States won the Mexican-American War. As part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United States annexed the New Mexico Territory.

Territory and Statehood

The New Mexico Territory was originally part of the Mexican Cession, a vast area of land that the United States acquired from Mexico after the Mexican-American War. The territory was organized in 1850, and it grew rapidly in population in the years that followed. In 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state of the Union.

Before statehood, New Mexico was a land of diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. It was a place where the Spanish, Native American, and Mexican cultures all merged to create a unique and vibrant heritage.

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