Why did William Becknell go to Santa Fe?
William Becknell. When Mexico achieved independence from Spain in 1821, it opened up trade to its territories; residents of Santa Fe were eager for more trade goods. In 1822, Becknell altered his route to Santa Fe in order to find a trail more suitable for wagon trains so that he could enable transport of more trade goods.
What did William Becknell do for the pioneers?
William Becknell (1787 or 1788 – April 30, 1865) was an American soldier, politician, and freight operator who is credited by Americans with opening the Santa Fe Trail in 1821. He found a trail for part of the route that was wide enough for wagon trains and draft teams, making it easier for trader and emigrants along this route.
What happened to Samuel Becknell in 1821?
In 1821 Becknell faced substantial debt. He had bought out the Boone family interest in the salt works around 1818. In 1820 he ran unsuccessfully for the Missouri Legislature, having borrowed money to finance the campaign. The Panic of 1819 took its toll on his business activities by limiting the amount of credit and hard currency available.
Where did William Becknell live in Texas?
In 1835 Becknell sold all his Missouri property and business interests and moved to present-day Red River County, Texas in northeast Texas. During the Texas War of Independence, Becknell organized and led a cavalry unit known as the Red River Blues.
Was William Becknell the first American trader to use the Santa Fe Trail?
True; William Becknell was the first American trader to use the Santa Fe trail.
Who went to New Mexico in the Western Settlement?
The first Europeans to arrive in New Mexico were the Spanish. In 1540, Spanish conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado arrived with a large group of soldiers. He was searching for the fabled seven cities of gold.
What was the source of the conflict between the US and Mexico before they went to war?
It stemmed from the annexation of the Republic of Texas by the U.S. in 1845 and from a dispute over whether Texas ended at the Nueces River (the Mexican claim) or the Rio Grande (the U.S. claim).
Who was the first people to settle in New Mexico?
New Mexico was first settled ten millennia ago, by Pueblo Indians who built cities and sophisticated irrigation systems. Pueblo ruins are found throughout the state.
What problems did the Western settlers face?
As settlers and homesteaders moved westward to improve the land given to them through the Homestead Act, they faced a difficult and often insurmountable challenge. The land was difficult to farm, there were few building materials, and harsh weather, insects, and inexperience led to frequent setbacks.
Who was to blame for the Mexican-American War?
But the Mexican government refused to even meet with Slidell. Polk grew frustrated. Determined to acquire the land, he sent American troops to Texas in January of 1846 to provoke the Mexicans into war. When the Mexicans fired on American troops in April 25, 1846, Polk had the excuse he needed.
What factors led to the invasion of Mexican territory by American settlers?
The Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 was a combination of Mexican unwillingness to recognize Texas independence, the desire of Texans for statehood, and American desire for westward expansion.
What were the conflicts between settlers and the Mexican government?
Explanation: Settlers went into conflict with the Mexican government because they were planters who brought slaves. Mexico had abolished slavery before and refused this practice. Texas later became independent shortly and joined the USA in 1845.
When did settlers come to New Mexico?
More than 50 years after Coronado, Juan de Oñate came north from the Valley of Mexico with 500 Spanish settlers and soldiers and 7,000 head of livestock, founding the first Spanish settlement in New Mexico on July 11, 1598.
Which new tribes moved into New Mexico during the 1700's?
In the 1700s, a new challenge for the Spanish, Picuris, and Apache appeared as Comanche groups moved into northern New Mexico, shifting the power dynamics in the region.
Why did the Spanish come to New Mexico?
The Spanish government was interested in the potential of what was then generally called 'the north' [el norte]. After the successes of Mexico and Peru, Spain felt that northern New Spain was ready to be added to the empire.
What attracted Lungers to New Mexico?
TB sufferers — often called “lungers” — flocked here by the thousands, until a streptomycin was made available in 1949 that finally controlled the spread of the disease. Many patients remained in New Mexico after they recovered.
Why did Becknell change his route to Santa Fe?
In 1822, Becknell altered his route to Santa Fe in order to find a trail more suitable for wagon trains so that he could enable transport of more trade goods. Earlier travelers had ridden on horseback, trailing packhorses.
What did Becknell offer to Santa Fe?
The people of Santa Fe were eager for the variety of goods which Becknell offered from his string of pack horses. They were willing to pay high prices: some cotton cloth and calico brought the then-unheard of sum of three dollars a yard. After a month of trading, Becknell and his party left Santa Fe on December 13 with their saddlebags overflowing with silver. His investment of $300 in trading goods had returned approximately $6000 in coin.
What year was Becknell born?
Conflicting sources say his year of birth was 1787 or 1788 . Young Becknell's father and grandfather were veterans of the American Revolution, as were two uncles who died in the war. Becknell married Jane Trusler in 1807 in Virginia.
How did Jane Becknell die?
Jane Becknell died of unknown circumstance, possibly in childbirth, around the time of her husband's military discharge. In January 1817 the widower married again, to Mary Cribb. According to U.S. Census Bureau records, Becknell was the father of at least five children in total: Mary Jane born in 1815, John Calhoun born in 1817, William Alexander Jr. also born in 1817, Lucy born in 1818, and Cornelia born in 1827. Becknell supported his family by working as a ferryman on the Missouri river and by managing the Boone's Lick Salt Works. In early 1820 he purchased 180 acres in Howard County, Missouri and moved the family there.
How much did the Becknell train cost to get to Santa Fe?
The 'train' arrived in Santa Fe forty-eight days later. The second trip proved to be even more profitable than the first. Taking an estimated $3,000 in goods to Santa Fe, Becknell's party returned with a profit of around $91,000.
Who was the father of the Santa Fe Trail?
Congress. For his efforts in opening up an improved route for regular traffic and military movement, William Becknell became known as the Father of the Santa Fe Trail
Who was William Becknell?
William Becknell (1787 or 1788 – April 30, 1865) was an American soldier, politician, and freight operator who is credited by Americans with opening the Santa Fe Trail in 1821. He found a trail for part of the route that was wide enough for wagon trains and draft teams, making it easier for trader and emigrants along this route. The Santa Fe Trail became an early major transportation route through central North America that connected Franklin, Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico, serving both trading and emigrant parties. It served as a vital commercial highway from the 1820s until 1880, when the railroad was introduced to Santa Fe. Becknell made use of long-established trails made by Native Americans, and Spanish and French colonial explorers and traders for centuries before his trip.