Santa Fe Trail

Article abstract: The Santa Fe Trail was a westward route of commerce and migration for traders and settlers, stretching from Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fe in the present state of New Mexico

Although Spain had restricted trade between Santa Fe and American settlers to the north, in the 1820's the Mexican government opened the Santa Fe Trail. Beginning in 1822 and continuing for more than two decades, an annual armed caravan of American traders gathered each spring, first in Franklin, then in Independence, Missouri. The group finally started from Council...

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