New Mexico Territory facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Territory of New Mexico
Organized incorporated territory of the United States
1850–1912
Flag Coat of arms
A map of the later Federal Arizona and New Mexico Territories, split from the original New Mexico Territory of 1851, showing existing counties.
Capital	Santa Fe
Government
• Type	Organized incorporated territory
Governor
• 1851–1852	James S. Calhoun
• 1910–1912	William J. Mills
Legislature	New Mexico Territorial Legislature
History
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo	May 30
• Organic Act (part of Compromise of 1850)	9 September 1850
• Gadsden Purchase	June 24
• Colorado Territory established	February 28
• Arizona Territory established	February 24
• Statehood	6 January 1912
Preceded by Succeeded by U.S. provisional government of New Mexico Republic of Texas New Mexico Arizona Territory Colorado Nevada

The Territory of New Mexico was a special kind of area in the United States. It was called an organized incorporated territory. This means it was set up by the U.S. government and was meant to eventually become a state.

This territory existed for a long time, from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912. That's about 62 years! When it finally became a state, it was named New Mexico. This made it the longest-lasting organized territory in U.S. history.

How the New Mexico Territory Began

The land that became the New Mexico Territory was once part of Mexico. After the Mexican–American War, the United States and Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. This treaty gave a huge amount of land, including what would become New Mexico, to the U.S.

Setting Up the Territory

In 1850, the U.S. Congress passed a set of laws called the Compromise of 1850. Part of this compromise was the Organic Act. This act officially created the New Mexico Territory on September 9, 1850. Its first capital city was Santa Fe.

Early Leaders of the Territory

The territory had a governor who was appointed by the U.S. President. The first governor was James S. Calhoun, who served from 1851 to 1852. The territory also had its own law-making group, called the New Mexico Territorial Legislature.

Changes to the Territory's Borders

When the New Mexico Territory was first created, it was much larger than the state of New Mexico is today. Its borders changed several times over the years.

The Gadsden Purchase

In 1853, the U.S. bought more land from Mexico in an event called the Gadsden Purchase. This land was added to the southern part of the New Mexico Territory. It helped create the final border between the U.S. and Mexico in that region.

New Territories Are Formed

As the U.S. grew, parts of the New Mexico Territory were separated to create new territories.

• In 1861, the Colorado Territory was created from the northern part of New Mexico Territory. This land eventually became the state of Colorado.
• In 1863, the Arizona Territory was formed from the western part of New Mexico Territory. This land later became the state of Arizona.

These changes made the New Mexico Territory smaller, closer to the size of the modern state.

Becoming the State of New Mexico

After many years as a territory, New Mexico finally became a state. The last governor of the territory was William J. Mills, who served from 1910 to 1912.

On January 6, 1912, the remaining part of the New Mexico Territory was officially admitted into the Union as the 47th state: New Mexico. This marked the end of an important chapter in American history.

Images for kids

• 

  Proposed boundaries for the earlier federal State of New Mexico, 1850

• 

  New Mexico Territory, 1852

See also

In Spanish: Territorio de Nuevo México para niños