Statehood
This U.S. president signed the proclamation making New Mexico the 47th state in 1912.
Who is William Howard Taft?
This man became New Mexico’s first state governor.
Who is William C. McDonald?
This famous outlaw became one of the most well-known figures associated with New Mexico’s frontier past.
Who is Billy the Kid?
After statehood, New Mexico wanted to attract more of these to boost its economy.
What are tourists?
Statehood meant New Mexico would now have representation in this national law-making body.
What is congress?
New Mexico officially became a state in this year.
What is 1912?
These two men were New Mexico’s first U.S. Senators after statehood.
Who are Thomas B. Catron and Albert B. Fall?
Billy the Kid became famous during this violent conflict in New Mexico during the late 1800s.
What is the Lincoln County War?
New Mexico also hoped to attract these groups looking for land, opportunity, or health benefits.
What are settlers?
Before 1912, New Mexico had this political status under the United States.
What is territory?
This form of transportation helped connect New Mexico to national markets and increased migration to the territory.
What is the railroad?
Before the 17th Amendment, U.S. senators were chosen by this group instead of voters.
What is the state legislature?
Stories of outlaws and gunfighters contributed to New Mexico being viewed as this kind of region.
What is the lawless frontier / Wild West?
These U.S. laws allowed people to claim government land and helped populate the West.
What are the Homestead Acts?
Territories typically had less power than states in this national government.
What is federal government?
New Mexico became this numbered state when it joined the United States.
What is the 47th state?
This amendment (ratified in 1913) later allowed voters to directly elect U.S. senators.
What is the 17th Amendment?
This reputation made some members of Congress question whether New Mexico was ready for this political status.
What is statehood?
New Mexico promoted itself partly through its dramatic landscapes that attracted this entertainment industry.
What is the film/movie industry?
Writing a constitution helped prove New Mexico was ready for this political ability.
What is self governing?
Railroads helped strengthen New Mexico’s argument that it was ready for this political change.
What is statehood?
The first senators from New Mexico were chosen after this many ballots during the legislative vote.
What is eight ballots?
Figures like Billy the Kid later helped attract visitors interested in New Mexico’s this kind of history.
What is Wild West history / frontier legends?
Filmmakers were attracted to New Mexico largely because of this natural feature often mentioned in the state.
What is the unique light and scenery?
The long wait for statehood showed the difficulty territories sometimes faced in gaining this political recognition.
What is admission as a state?