United States History Student Edition

BIOGRAPHY DAVID

In September 1836, Texan leaders sent a delegation to Washington, D.C., to ask the United States to annex , or take control of, Texas. Andrew Jackson, however, refused their request. The addition of another slave state would upset the balance of slave and free states in Congress. For the moment, Texas would remain an independent country—the Republic of Texas. 7 CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING Explaining How were the Texans able to beat a larger army at San Jacinto? The United States and the Southwest GUIDING QUESTION How was the Southwest developed? In the early 1800s, the land called New Mexico was a vast region between the Texas and California territories. It included all of the land that is now the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. Native Americans had lived in this dry and rugged area for thousands of years. Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 1500s and made the region part of Spain’s colonies. In 1610, the Spanish founded the settlement of Santa Fe. Spanish missionaries soon followed the conquistadors into the area. American Interests in New Mexico Before Mexican independence, the Spanish had tried to keep Americans away from Santa Fe. They feared Americans would want to take over the area. The new Mexican government, however, welcomed American traders to boost the economy. William Becknell, the first American trader to reach Santa Fe, arrived in 1821. He traveled a route that came to be known as the Santa Fe Trail. It was a big improvement over the other trails that existed in the area. As Becknell wrote: “I avoided the so much dreaded sand hills, where adventurers have frequently been forced to drink the blood of their mules to allay [relieve] their thirst.” The Santa Fe Trail started at the western edge of the United States near Independence, Missouri.

CROCKETT (1786–1836)

David, or Davy, Crockett was born in Tennessee and became known as a sharpshooter, bear hunter, soldier, scout, and teller of tales. Stories of his daring deeds—some of them true or partly

true—turned him into a national folk hero. Crockett was 12 years old when his father hired him out to work on a cattle drive. Crockett married when he was 20 and established a home, but he was not a good farmer. After moving with his wife several times, he joined the army. He later fought in the Creek War and served under Andrew Jackson in Florida. In 1817, Crockett first became involved in politics and government. He served as a justice of the peace and a town commissioner, and he was elected to the state legislature. Later, he served three terms in Congress. Crockett lost reelection in 1831 because of his opposition to President Jackson’s Indian Removal Act. In 1835, Crockett moved to Texas and raised volunteers to fight Mexico. Welcomed as a hero upon his arrival at the Alamo, Crockett’s death there added to his legendary status.

Summarizing What were Crockett’s major contributions to the United States?

It crossed the prairies to the Arkansas River and followed the river west toward the Rocky Mountains before turning south. The trail was mostly flat, and Becknell used wagons to transport his goods. Other Americans soon followed Becknell. The Santa Fe Trail became a busy trade route. As trade with New Mexico increased, Americans began settling in the area. Some believed that acquiring New Mexico was part of American Manifest Destiny.

annex to take possession of

Political and Geographic Changes 331 PHOTO: Ian G Dagnall/Alamy Stock Photo; TEXT: Becknell, William. Journals from Boon’s Lick to Santa Fe and from Santa Cruz to Green River. In Missouri Historical Review, Volume 4. Edited by F.A. Sampson. Columbia, MO.: The State Historical Society of Missouri, 1910.