New Mexico 1810 1847 Honors New Mexico History

New Mexico 1810 -1847 Honors New Mexico History

Mexican War of Independence 1810 -21 • Mexico part of Spanish Empire 1521 -1821 – Several revolts against Spanish rule during this period – All failed • Last revolt began in 1810 – Revolt began because Spain was involved in a war with England France

Spanish Empire • Multi-racial – Creoles: Spanish born in the colonies (whites) – Mestizo: Mixed race, Indian and European – Indians • All revolts were led by the creole elites – Less than 5% of the total population

Mexican Leaders • Mexico – Fr. Miguel Hildalgo • Several kids • Notorious reputation • Executed 1811 – Fr. Jose Morelos • Executed 1815 • Wanted to end slavery

Fr. Miguel Hildalgo Fr. Jose Morelos

Mexican War of Independence • After 1815 the war of independence was led by guerilla bands • After ten years of civil war and the death of two of its founders, by early 1820 the independence movement was stalemated and close to collapse. • The rebels faced stiff Spanish military resistance and the apathy of many of the most influential creoles.

Mexican War of Independence • In what was supposed to be the final government campaign against the insurgents, in December 1820, a force led by a royalist creole officer, Colonel Agustín de Iturbide, was sent to defeat the rebels. • It joined the rebels and overthrew the government. • Iturbide was later elected as the first emperor of Mexico in 1822. – Remained a monarchy until 1824

Col. Agustin de Iturbide

First Mexican Republic • Very unstable: 75 governments in next 55 years • Attempted to rule with a constitution similar to that of the US • Major Figure – Antonio López de Santa Anna • General who took power in 1832 • Served as president 11 times by 1876 • Known as the “Napoleon of the West” • Faced several rebellions in Mexico during 1830 s

Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana

New Mexico Under Mexican Rule • Under Spanish rule, trade with areas outside the Spanish Empire was prohibited – Under Spanish rule New Mexico was a province of New Spain • Both of these changed under Mexican rule – Other Spanish era laws were enforced

Santa Fe Trade • By 1821 trade contacts with the United States were developed – William Becknell Trader from Missouri Traveled across the Plains to trade with Indian groups Was invited to New Mexico Within a year the Santa Fe trade was born Taos was initially the headquarters of the trade, then it moved to Santa Fe • New Mexico was anxious for trade goods from the outside world • • •

William Becknell

Fur Trade • Fur Trade – Fur trade became important – Had actually started as early as 1805 – Was illegal under Spanish rule – Trade was beaver pelts to be used for hats – Headquartered in Taos

Major Figures • • • Christopher “Kit” Carson Charles Bent William Bent Ceran St. Vrain Marcellin St. Vrain – Last 4 formed a trade company and constructed Bent’s Fort in southern Colorado • All of this changed the face of New Mexico and opened it to the outside world

Kit Carson Bent’s Fort

New Mexico Under Mexican Rule • Legal Status – New Mexico changed legal status 3 times from 1821 -24 – Was loosely controlled by Mexican government – Became a territory after 1824 • Role of Catholic Church – New Mexico had largely been on its own in religious affairs until 1833 – In 1833 the church took direct control of affairs in New Mexico and replaced all priests – Created problems – Not enough new priests – Churches fell into decay, many were dissolved

Chimayo Revolt • Col. Albino Perez was appointed Governor in 1835 – An Outsider (most previous governors had been from NM) – A military officer – Changed government in NM, instituted new taxes – Led to a revolt in 1837 • Army formed around Rio Arriba to oppose Perez • Rebels took power after defeating Perez

Manuel Armijo • Rebels soon began to commit atrocities • Manuel Armijo of Albuquerque led a counterrevolt. – Governor 3 times 1827 -45 (27 -28, 37 -43, 45)

Manuel Armijo • Repelled Texas invasion in 1841. – Authorized false promises of safe conduct, but instead took the Texan merchants and soldiers into custody and sent them further south in Mexico as prisoners. • Corrupt? – Made land grants to wealthy Americans – Fought another Texas invasion in 1843 and was defeated. – Resigned, but made Governor again in 1845

Mexican War 1846 -48 • Texas Revolution – 1836 American and Mexican settlers overthrew the Mexican government – Texas became an independent state. – Goal was to expand land for slave plantations. • Texas Annexation – Texas annexed by the United States in 1845 – The US claimed the Rio Grande as the border, Mexico claimed the Nueces as the border – Fighting stated when Mexican troops crossed into US territory

Manifest Destiny • Real issue was Manifest Destiny – Americans believed that it was their divine destiny to expand to the following areas • Southwest • California • Oregon – If these areas were not sold to the US, the nation took them by force • Sparked a war with Mexico and almost started a war with England

US Occupation • US troops entered New Mexico in summer 1846 • Gov. Armijo sent a scout to spy on US troops – Instead the scout was captured by US troops – Shown the army and then sent back to Armijo – Armijo’s troops were not well armed – Armijo probably took a bribe and surrendered to the US • Later tried for treason by the Mexicans – By 1846, US in control