U.S. Army invades and captures New Mexico in the Mexican-American War
Compromise of 1850- New Mexico becomes a territory of the United States
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The Civil War begins: Confederate troops occupy southern New Mexico. Confederate troops advance into northern New Mexico, there they were defeated and headed back to Texas.
Kit Carson defeats Navajos, who are then forced on the Long Walk to Bosque Redondo
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Mescalero Apaches held at Bosque Redondo flee to their homeland to the south. Reservation is closed, Navjaos sign new treaty and return to their homeland in northwestern New Mexico
Thousands of Apaches will be forced to relocate to this distant location far from their homeland.
John Tunstall is killed, starting Lincoln County War
Sheriff Pat Garett kills Billy the Kid, essentially ending the Lincoln County War
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New Mexicans prove their loyalty to the United States by serving heroically in the Spanish-American War, especially as members of a cavalry unit known as the rough riders. Arizona voters reject a plan to enter the Union as a single state with New Mexico.
