NOTHING THAT CAN BE MEMORIZED IS HISTORY. CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN WEST: Convergence Conflict Continuity.

NOTHING THAT CAN NOTHING THAT CAN BE MEMORIZED IS BE MEMORIZED IS

HISTORYHISTORY

CHANGE IN THE CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN WEST:AMERICAN WEST:

ConvergenceConvergenceConflict Conflict

ContinuityContinuity

SIGNIFICANCE OF 1821SIGNIFICANCE OF 1821

Mexico won its independence from SpainMexico won its independence from Spain Seeking new trading partners, new alliesSeeking new trading partners, new allies

Hugh Glenn and Jacob FowlerHugh Glenn and Jacob Fowler Taos Trail: Pueblo to Taos via Sangre de Cristo Taos Trail: Pueblo to Taos via Sangre de Cristo

PassPass Taos becomes southern trapping centerTaos becomes southern trapping center

William BecknellWilliam Becknell Opens the Santa Fe Trail to American tradeOpens the Santa Fe Trail to American trade Franklin, MO to Santa Fe: 1200 milesFranklin, MO to Santa Fe: 1200 miles

SANTA FE TRADESANTA FE TRADE

ProfitableProfitable Mexicans paid hard cash for American goodsMexicans paid hard cash for American goods

1822: Trade totaled $15,000 ($250,000 in today’s 1822: Trade totaled $15,000 ($250,000 in today’s dollars)dollars)

1860: Trade totaled $3.5 million ($81.4 million in 1860: Trade totaled $3.5 million ($81.4 million in today’s dollars)today’s dollars)

RomanticRomantic Exotic location for descendants of PuritansExotic location for descendants of Puritans Fandangos, Flirting, and FumarFandangos, Flirting, and Fumar

EARLY FUR TRADEEARLY FUR TRADE Based on trapping beaverBased on trapping beaver Diversity among the trappersDiversity among the trappers

French-CanadiansFrench-Canadians MexicansMexicans Americans from the EastAmericans from the East

Set basis for “Middle Ground”Set basis for “Middle Ground” Trappers established long-term relationshipsTrappers established long-term relationships

40% of Mountain Men married Indian women40% of Mountain Men married Indian women 20% of Mountain Men married Mexican women20% of Mountain Men married Mexican women Average length of marriage = 15 yearsAverage length of marriage = 15 years Average number of children = 3Average number of children = 3

IN THE 1830s: BUFFALO ROBES BECAME THE CHIEF ARTICLE OF WESTERN TRADE.

CHANGES THAT OCCURRED:

•Buffalo robes obtained through trade not trapping

•Permanent trading posts replaced the rendezvous

SEVERAL TRADING POSTS ESTABLISHED ON THE EASTERN PLAINS

•1832 – Gantt and Blackwell near Pueblo

•1833 – Bent’s Fort between Las Animas and

La Junta

•1835 – Fort Vasquez near Platteville

•1836 – Fort Lupton

•1836 – Fort St. Vrain (Fort Lookout)

1833 – 1848 BENTS’ FORT DOMINATED THE PLAINS

From its position on the north side of the Arkansas River, astride the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail

•Rectangular, Grey Adobe Structure: 180 feet by 135 feet

•Round bastions at SE and NW corners

•Walls: 2’ – 4’ thick and 15’ high

•Midway along eastern wall – sheet metal and iron doors

•Center of facility = fur press

Council Room Trading Room

Kitchen

Living Quarters

Blacksmith Corrals

BENT’S OLD FORT:

•Stood for nearly 20 years

•International Center of Commerce

•It was the DIA of its time

BENT’S FORT: AGENT OF CHANGE

CONVERGENCE – CONFLICT – CONTINUITY

CONVERGENCE:•Brought cultures together: BENT & ST. VRAIN CO.

Marcellin St. Vraub

Married:

“Red”

Ogalala Sioux

Ceran St. Vrain

Married:

Maria de la Luz

Taos

William Bent

Married:

Owl Woman &

Yellow Woman

Cheyenne

CONVERGENCE:CONVERGENCE:

Mexican Skilled LaborMexican Skilled Labor

CONVERGENCE: Native AmericansCONVERGENCE: Native Americans

Procured robes and principal trading partnersProcured robes and principal trading partners

CHEYENNE

ARAPAHOE

COMANCHE

KIOWA

CONVERGENCE:CONVERGENCE:

Brought different economic systems togetherBrought different economic systems togetherAmerican Capitalist + Spanish Closed Mercantilist American Capitalist + Spanish Closed Mercantilist and Native American Barterand Native American Barter

CONVERGENCE: CREATED MIDDLE CONVERGENCE: CREATED MIDDLE GROUNDGROUND

Santa Fe and Taos Families increased wealthSanta Fe and Taos Families increased wealthNew trading partners had more and better goodsNew trading partners had more and better goods

Native Americans increased wealth and Native Americans increased wealth and prestigeprestige

Cheyenne and Arapahoe gained “favored status”Cheyenne and Arapahoe gained “favored status”Increased wealth and position on the PlainsIncreased wealth and position on the Plains

Bent and St. Vrain Company profitableBent and St. Vrain Company profitable1842: Income of $190,000 ($4.5 million today)1842: Income of $190,000 ($4.5 million today)

SO……SO……

WHAT HAPPENED?WHAT HAPPENED?

CONFLICT: WAR WITH MEXICOVictory upset political, economic and social balance

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Added all of SW to United States

Mexican citizens became US citizens

Charles Bent became Governor of New Mexico - killed

Ceran St. Vrain led militia in revenge/retaliation

William Bent lost Owl Woman to cholera

Brought by Army of the West

Native Americans victims of cholera epidemic

Lost one-third to one-half of population

CONFLICT: CONFLICT: BASIS FOR MIDDLE GROUND = GONEBASIS FOR MIDDLE GROUND = GONE

Victory in War with Mexico opened door to new landsVictory in War with Mexico opened door to new landsFirst event = California Gold RushFirst event = California Gold Rush

Changed image of the WestChanged image of the WestChanged westward settlementChanged westward settlement

Arrivals after 1848 have different goalsArrivals after 1848 have different goalsExtraction of natural resources is primaryExtraction of natural resources is primary

Goals do not involve the assistance of ANY previous Goals do not involve the assistance of ANY previous groupgroup

Both groups = OBSTACLES to be removed, not Both groups = OBSTACLES to be removed, not accommodatedaccommodated

CONFLICT:CONFLICT:HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE BASIS IS HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE BASIS IS

GONE?GONE?BENT & ST. VRAIN CO DISSOLVED - 1849BENT & ST. VRAIN CO DISSOLVED - 1849BENT’S FORT IS GONE BENT’S FORT IS GONE

William Bent blew up Bent’s Fort in 1849William Bent blew up Bent’s Fort in 1849IMPORTANT TO NOTE SYMBOLISMIMPORTANT TO NOTE SYMBOLISM

Charles Bent killed in anti-European revolt in 1848Charles Bent killed in anti-European revolt in 1848Cholera - European borne disease destroyed tradeCholera - European borne disease destroyed tradeDynamite - European technology destroyed fortDynamite - European technology destroyed fort

CONTINUITY•Once introduced, Anglo-American presence was permanent

•American-style capitalism entrenched

•Mexico City lost control of trade to Bent & St. Vrain Co.

•Political conditions turned in favor of Americans

•Stephen Kearney’s Army of the West entered Santa Fe without firing a shot.

THE NATURE OF CHANGE BEFORE 1850THE NATURE OF CHANGE BEFORE 1850 Convergence: “Middle Ground” is basis for relationshipsConvergence: “Middle Ground” is basis for relationships Conflict: Emerged OUTSIDE the areaConflict: Emerged OUTSIDE the area

Not generated within as in King Philip’s War, French and Indian War, Not generated within as in King Philip’s War, French and Indian War, Blackhawk War, Cherokee WarsBlackhawk War, Cherokee Wars

Continuity: American culture established as PART of Continuity: American culture established as PART of the systemthe system

•THE NATURE OF CHANGE AFTER 1850

•Conflict originated within the area and dominated relationships

•Continuity: American culture dominated the system

•Convergence is not an option:

•Acculturation not accommodation became the standard