Fur Trappers
This animal’s pelt was the main reason many trappers came to New Mexico and made a lot of money in the early 1800s.
Beaver
The merchant who first proved wagons could reach Santa Fe and opened trade from Missouri was named?
William (or William) Becknell.
William Becknell followed an old Indian trail west from this Missouri town to reach Santa Fe.
Independence.
Name two common jobs listed that people did in colonial New Spain or New Mexico (choose any two).
Any two: Priest, sheriff (alguacil), cowboys, ciboleros, farmers, miners, governor, trapper.
People born in Spain who held the most wealth and political power were called what?
Peninsulares (or Ricos).
Name one famous fur trapper who worked in the Southwest and is mentioned in the text.
Jim Bridger (or Jedediah Smith, Jim Beckworth, Kit Carson).
The Santa Fe Trail
Name two hazards travelers on the Santa Fe Trail faced (pick any two).
Any two: lack of water, harsh climate, stampedes, accidents, outlaws, Indian attacks.
Which occupation listed was responsible for religious leadership and mission work?
Priest
What term describes people of Spanish descent born in the Americas?
Criollos
By the late 1830s trapping of this animal had largely ended because trappers had nearly hunted them to extinction. What is the term for when a species is reduced to extremely low numbers or wiped out?
Extinction (or “nearly extinct”).
Explain how the opening of trails like the Santa Fe Trail changed New Mexico’s economy (two-sentence answer).
Trails allowed regular trade between New Mexico and the United States and other regions, increasing commerce, creating new wealthy merchants, and diversifying the economy.
The Great Plains.
Describe one way mestizos could improve their economic status in colonial society (short answer).
Example: Working as an artisan, shopkeeper, overseer, or vaquero; owning property or a small business.
Give the name for children of Spaniards and Native Americans.
Mestizos
Explain one economic effect that the fur trade had on New Mexico communities (short answer).
It brought cash and goods into local markets, creating wealth for merchants and towns like Santa Fe.
Explain how the opening of trails like the Santa Fe Trail changed New Mexico’s economy (two-sentence answer).
Trails allowed regular trade between New Mexico and the United States and other regions, increasing commerce, creating new wealthy merchants, and diversifying the economy.
Describe how travel on these merchant trails affected New Mexico’s connections to the rest of the world (one short paragraph).
Example: Trails connected New Mexico to national and international markets. This brought goods, settlers, and new ideas, and reduced isolation.
Explain how the fur trade and merchant trails created new job opportunities in New Mexico (two-sentence answer).
Example: Demand for goods and furs led to jobs like supply merchants, wagon drivers, trappers, and muleteers; services like lodging and blacksmithing also grew.
Explain why criollos felt they should hold power in the new republic even though peninsulares often controlled top offices (two-sentence answer).
Example: Criollos were born in the Americas and felt they had a stronger claim to local leadership; they resented peninsulares who were appointed to top offices from Spain.
Describe two dangers trappers faced when traveling to trap and trade in New Mexico (list two).
Outlaws, Indian attacks, stampedes, lack of water, harsh climate, accidents.
Identify and explain one reason Bent’s Fort was important to regional commerce.
Example: Bent’s Fort served as a major trading post and supply center, housing traders, animals, and goods—acting as a commercial hub linking the plains and Southwest.
Explain why travel and trade made New Mexico less isolated even though the Mexican government ignored the territory (two-sentence answer).
Example: Trade routes brought merchants, goods, and travelers, creating stronger economic ties and cultural exchange even while Mexico’s government paid little attention to New Mexico.
Many castas filled skilled trades and military roles. Choose one casta group from the list and describe three types of work they commonly did.
Example (Mestizos): Mayordomos, artisans (carpenters/smiths), vaqueros/cowboys, shopkeepers, overseers.
Using at least three class labels from the key terms (e.g., Peninsulares, Criollos, Mestizos), explain how social class affected job opportunities and political power in New Spain (short paragraph).
Example: Peninsulares owned haciendas and held political offices; criollos had local influence but were often barred from the highest positions; mestizos and castas faced job limits and discrimination but could hold artisan and labor roles that supported the economy.