New Mexico & Las Gorras Blancas Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Why didn't New Mexico suffer the invasion of the Anglos like California and Texas?

Because there was nothing there that the Anglos wanted; it's a desert.

When was New Mexico settled?

1598

When did the Atchison-Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad reach New Mexico?

1878

What was the largest and oldest Spanish settlement where Latinos remained strong?

New Mexico Signup and view all the answers

How did Latinos from New Mexico maintain their culture?

Latinos from New Mexico insisted on maintaining the Spanish language, culture, and religious traditions. Signup and view all the answers

At the beginning of the Mexican American War, where were there more Mexican Americans, in New Mexico, Texas, or California?

In New Mexico Signup and view all the answers

How did New Mexicans achieve leadership positions?

Some landholding families sent their children to school at Harvard, returning literate in both English and Spanish. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Miguel Antonio Otero?

Miguel Antonio Otero was a wealthy Hispano who studied law at St. Louis University and was elected as Delegate to the US Congress. Signup and view all the answers

How did Miguel Antonio Otero contribute to New Mexico?

He was instrumental in bringing the railroad into northern New Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

What did the railroad bring to New Mexico's elite, and what about the other Mexicanos?

The railroad brought economic progress to the New Mexico elite, but it posed a threat to other Mexicanos who lived on open land called 'held in common.' Signup and view all the answers

If land was not privately owned in New Mexico, how was it used?

It was open to be used by whomever; it was 'held in common.' Signup and view all the answers

When did the Anglo cattle ranchers show interest in moving to New Mexico?

With the railroad. Signup and view all the answers

What did the cattle ranchers do on 'held in common' lands?

They barbed wire cut through the lands held in common. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Mexicanos mean with the expression 'con el alambre vino el hambre'?

'Con el alambre vino el hambre' means the barbed wire was fencing off land that was used to graze animals and raise crops. Signup and view all the answers

What did people do when they realized they were losing their lands?

They fought back and organized a movement called 'Las Gorras Blancas.' Signup and view all the answers

Who organized a resistance movement called 'Las Gorras Blancas'?

The 3 Herrera brothers (Pablo, Nicanor & Juan José). Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the resistance movement 'Las Gorras Blancas'?

To protect half a million acres of land from the encroachment of the cattle ranchers. Signup and view all the answers

How did 'Las Gorras Blancas' operate?

They wore white hoods to mask their identity, had about 1,100 men, and defended their rights with guns. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Anglo ranchers do about the 'fence cutters' in San Miguel County?

They wrote letters to the Governor of New Mexico complaining about the fence cutters. Signup and view all the answers

What did County Clerk Miguel Antonio Otero do to help?

He wrote that crimes were being committed and the community had little or no protection. Signup and view all the answers

Who were arrested in 1889?

The Herrera brothers (and 44 other fence cutters). Signup and view all the answers

After their arrest, why were the charges against the Herrera brothers dismissed?

A local newspaper reported it would be difficult to find a jury to punish them for acts they felt were right. Signup and view all the answers

When were 'Las Gorras Blancas' disbanded?

Las Gorras Blancas were disbanded in 1891, and the fencing stopped. Signup and view all the answers

How many acres remained from the Las Vegas Grant?

Only a few thousand of half a million acres remained from Las Vegas Grant. Signup and view all the answers

What precedent did 'Las Gorras Blancas' set?

Las Gorras Blancas set a precedent of Latino resistance to injustice. Signup and view all the answers

After 'Las Gorras Blancas', what did Juan Jose Herrera do?

He was elected probate judge of San Miguel County. Signup and view all the answers

How is the political participation of Hispanics in New Mexico?

New Mexico has substantial Hispanic political participation. Signup and view all the answers

Today, what is the experience of Hispanics in New Mexico compared to Tejanos and Californianos?

People of Mexican ancestry continue to be the majority in New Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

New Mexico Overview

New Mexico remained uninvaded by Anglos due to its desert landscape lacking valuable resources.
Initial settlement of New Mexico occurred in 1598.

Transportation Developments

The Atchison-Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad reached New Mexico in 1878, facilitating economic growth.

Cultural Identity

New Mexico served as the largest and oldest Spanish settlement in the U.S., with a significant Latino population, larger than that in Texas or California at the onset of the Mexican-American War.
Latinos maintained their culture through the Spanish language, traditions, and religion.

Leadership and Education

Landholding families in New Mexico sent children to prestigious schools like Harvard, enabling them to hold leadership positions in the community.

Influential Figures

Miguel Antonio Otero, a wealthy Hispano and lawyer educated in St. Louis, was elected as Delegate to the U.S. Congress and played a crucial role in the railroad expansion into northern New Mexico.

The railroad connected New Mexico to economic centers in Kansas and Chicago, benefitting the elite but threatening other Mexicanos, who lived on communal lands.
If land was not privately owned, it was considered "held in common" for communal use.

Cattle Ranching and Conflict

The arrival of Anglo cattle ranchers coincided with the railroad, leading to tensions over common lands.
Ranchers used barbed wire to restrict access to grazing land, igniting conflict expressed through the phrase "con el alambre vino el hambre" (the barbed wire brought hunger).

Resistance Movement

In response to land loss, the Herrera brothers founded "Las Gorras Blancas," a resistance movement aimed at protecting land rights.
The movement had approximately 1,100 members, who wore white hoods for anonymity and took direct action against encroaching ranchers.

Escalation of Tensions

"Las Gorras Blancas" engaged in sabotage, destroying rail tracks and cutting barbed wire, leading to complaints from Anglo ranchers to the state governor.

Legal Proceedings and Impacts

County Clerk Miguel Antonio Otero reported community protection issues and noted the injustices faced, documenting the fight for rights.
In 1889, the Herrera brothers and 44 other members were arrested, but charges were later dismissed due to community sympathy.

Conclusion of Movement

"Las Gorras Blancas" disbanded in 1891 following a decline in active resistance, but they left a lasting legacy of Latino resistance to injustice.
The Las Vegas Grant decreased to merely a few thousand acres from its original half-million.

Political Legacy

Juan Jose Herrera, leader of "Las Gorras Blancas," was later elected probate judge in San Miguel County, demonstrating continued political engagement.
New Mexico has a notable Hispanic political participation compared to other southern states, showcasing strong community involvement.
People of Mexican ancestry constitute the majority in New Mexico today, leading to differing experiences from Tejanos and Californianos.

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Test your knowledge of New Mexico's history and the impact of Las Gorras Blancas with these flashcards. Explore key events from the settlement era to the introduction of the railroad, and understand why New Mexico's landscape influenced its development. Perfect for history enthusiasts and students alike.