A little bit of Background
Santa Fe Trail: ​
The original Santa Fe Trail connected Franklin, MO to Santa Fe. The route was pioneered by William Becknell and throughout the years attracted many individuals seeking profitable trade. It first served as an international trade route connecting America and Mexico but following America's annexation of what now includes areas of the American Southwest, the route connected the Eastern USA to the Southwestern territories. Eventually, the trail faded into history following the development of the Atchison-Topeka-Santa Fe Railway.
Old Spanish Trail:
The Old Spanish Trail connected Santa Fe and other settlements in its vicinity to Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California. It was a culmination of routes previously used by the Spanish to trade with Native American Tribes. Known as one of the most arduous trails in American history, the primary route was pioneered by Antonio Armijo and later used by other traders. Many also followed the trail during the Gold Rush of 1849 to reach California.
Connections
The Trails and the Rest of the Manifest Destiny
The Manifest Destiny was a time of Westward Expansion. Settlers as well as traders used multiple trails to travel westwards seeking economic opportunities and better life styles. The Santa Fe Trail connected the Great Plains to Santa Fe while the Old Spanish Trail connected the city to parts of Southern California.
Oregon Trail
In 1827, following floods that led to the collapse of Franklin, Independence, MO became the main starting point for the Santa Fe Trail. Independence was also the starting point for the Oregon Trail. Unlike the Santa Fe Trail which was primarily a commercial route, the Oregon Trail was used by individuals who hoped to settle in the west and start a new life.
The USA's annexation of the Republic of Texas caused Mexico to declare war on the USA. During the Mexican American War, the Santa Fe Trail was crucial to the US Army when it came to invading the present-day state of New Mexico. Then in 1848, the Guadalupe Treaty was signed. The Santa Fe Trail which had served as an international trade route connecting the USA and Mexico became a national commercial highway. Later the Gadsden Purchase was made and it further added to the territory USA acquired from Mexico.
California Gold Rush
The Santa Fe Trail and the Old Spanish Trail became vital to those hoping to profit from gold in California and Colorado. Although both of these trails were commercial networks, between 1849, when gold was discovered at Sutters Mill in CA to 1852, the trails were heavily used by individuals hoping to strike gold.
SIGNIFICANCE TO AMERICAN HISTORY
The Santa Fe Trail played a major role in American history. Between 1821 and 1846, it served as an international highway connecting Mexico and the US facilitating international trade between the nations. Then in 1846 during the Mexican American War, it was used by American soldiers to successfully invade Mexico. In 1848, following the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, it served as a national route connecting the eastern portion of the United States to Southwestern US territories.
Furthermore, the trails allowed for an increase in commercial freighting and military freighting. Military freighting was used to supply the Southwestern fronts.
The trails were vital to both the westward expansion as well as America's economic prosperity. They were used by gold seekers attempting to reach the California and Colorado gold fields, wealthy families, and missionaries. They also allowed for individuals to trade with Native American Tribes.
Lastly, the trails served as guiding lines for railroad companies. Once the railroads were developed, they quickened the journey and made it safer as well. This allowed for further and quicker development of the west, something the trails had first prompted.