When we look into any of the histories of the fifty states, there’s the good, the bad, and the ugly: New Mexico is no different. With a far more positive history with American Indian individuals than other states and the mystery of the Seven Cities of Gold, it’s clear why this is the land of enchantment.
While it is hard to deep dive into the history of this state without writing an entire book, let’s take a look into three distinct eras of New Mexico’s history: early pre-United States history, its involvement in the civil and American Indian wars, and modern day New Mexico.
Early New Mexico
The beginning of New Mexico was actually founded on the idea of the Seven Cities of Gold in Aztec mythos. Early explorers, one of the more famous being
Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, dove deep into the lands of New Mexico which was called Nuevo México at the time.
At this point in history, there was actually a great deal of synergy and working together among explorers and indigenous peoples. Commerce was blossoming at this time with great trade practices minimal invasions and raids as well as an extended amount of exploration.
Early relationships were tense at times, but the local trade and cultural acceptance of the period led to a great deal of prosperity in the area. Almost sounds like the Seven Cities of Gold were founded with ideas of trade and getting along!
War and Inhumanity
Despite the early beginnings founded in acceptance, trade, cultural exchange and general good natured relationships, nothing could prepare people for the coming wars.
With the brutality of the wars and over 8,000 men serving in the Union army, the economy and establishment of New Mexico changed drastically. Not only was the land divided into Arizona and New Mexico into the territories that they are today, but the introduction of Anglo-Americans and the slave trade forever changed the story of New Mexico.
Prominently mestizo (those who have Mexican and American Indian heritage), New Mexico was one of the few states with BIPOC individuals running the vast majority of the state. Unfortunately, because of the Civil War, the ties that kept the citizens of the state tied together were strained and eventually torn which in large part led to the American Indian War.
Modern Age
After New Mexico was officially made a state, the people of New Mexico continued to build new relationships and re-establish the cultural sharing that had begun nearly four hundred years earlier. The establishment of the state was late in the history of the state due to the primary population consisting of mestizos and individuals with Mexican heritage.
To the governing bodies at that time, this was something that made them question the commitment of New Mexican citizens to the United States cause. This discrimination led to New Mexican volunteers volunteering to go to World War I: there were nearly 17,000 New Mexico volunteers and recruits.
Fast track to today, New Mexico is a leader in State funds dedicated to American Indian commerce, it recently approved marijuana for recreational use, and the state is also home to hundreds of natural reserves and state parks. Some of the largest American Indian reservations exist in this state!
Out of several of the states, the diversity of New Mexico is unparalleled. Maybe Texas comes close, but New Mexico takes the cake there. Personally, I love visiting New Mexico because of the history, the development, as well as the current status of the state. People are generally pretty friendly, the environment is gorgeous, and everywhere you look there’s really good food!
Conclusion
Not many places can claim that they have been BIPOC run since day one. Well, New Mexico can. Even though there were atrocities committed especially towards the mestizo and American Indian peoples, New Mexico has worked to rectify the sins of the past.
Much like the early days of New Mexico, the state has refocused on developing commerce, trade, positive relationships and further cultural awareness and exchange between American Indian people and non-American Indian people.
History is laid bare in multiple establishments where the state doesn’t hide the history of what has happened in the territory. With their transparency, it’s important to remember that they are forerunners in devotion, established diversity, and more.
