The Far Southwest 1846-1912: A Territorial History

The Far Southwest 1846-1912 examines the territorial period of New Mexico, Arizona, and the surrounding region during a transformative era of American expansion. The book covers the years between the Mexican-American War and statehood for Arizona and New Mexico. Lamar traces the complex interactions between Anglo-American settlers, Hispanic residents, Native American tribes, and federal authorities as the Southwest underwent political and social changes. The narrative follows key developments in mining, ranching, railroads, and governance that shaped the region's character. The text incorporates research from government documents, personal papers, and period newspapers to reconstruct the administrative challenges and cultural tensions of territorial rule. Military campaigns, land disputes, and the establishment of civil institutions receive particular focus. Through this regional study, Lamar presents broader themes about American frontier development and the costs of national expansion. The work raises questions about cultural preservation, political representation, and the nature of democracy in contested territories.

Readers value this as a comprehensive history of the Southwest territories' political and administrative development. Multiple reviews mention its value as a research source, with one academic reader noting its "exhaustive documentation of territorial politics and governance structures." Readers appreciated: - Detailed coverage of territorial governors and officials - Focus on New Mexico's path to statehood - Inclusion of railroad development impacts - Treatment of Hispanic and Native American perspectives Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited coverage of social/cultural history - Some dated interpretations (originally published 1966) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (6 ratings) Google Books: No rating (insufficient reviews) One reviewer on Amazon described it as "thorough but dry," while another praised its "meticulous attention to administrative details and political maneuvering." Several academic reviewers cite it frequently in their own work on Southwest history.

Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West by Hampton Sides This narrative chronicles the conquest of the American Southwest through the interconnected stories of Kit Carson, the Navajo tribes, and the territorial expansion of the United States from 1846 to 1867.

Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne The book details the rise and fall of the Comanche tribe in the Southwest territories through the story of their last chief, Quanah Parker, and the transformation of the frontier.

The Comanche Empire by Pekka Hämäläinen This historical examination presents the Comanche tribe as a dominant imperial power in the Southwest that shaped the region's political and economic development from the 18th to 19th centuries.

War of a Thousand Deserts by Brian DeLay The text examines how Native American raids in Northern Mexico influenced the Mexican-American War and subsequent territorial arrangements in the Southwest borderlands.

Conquest: Southern Plains Indians War by William C. Davis This military history covers the conflicts between the U.S. Army and Southern Plains tribes during the post-Civil War period of southwestern territorial expansion.

🌵 The author, Howard Roberts Lamar, served as president of Yale University from 1992-1993 and was a pioneering figure in "New Western History" - an approach that emphasized the perspectives of minorities and indigenous peoples. 🏜️ The book covers a pivotal period when the Southwest transformed from Mexican territory to U.S. territory, examining how this dramatic shift affected Native Americans, Hispanic residents, and Anglo settlers. 🗺️ Despite its title focusing on 1846-1912, the book includes essential background information dating back to Spanish colonial times, providing readers with crucial context about the region's complex cultural heritage. ⚔️ The work details how the Civil War significantly impacted the Southwest, including lesser-known events like Confederate attempts to create a supply corridor to California through New Mexico Territory. 🌟 The book was considered groundbreaking when published in 1966 for its comprehensive examination of how territorial status affected the development of New Mexico, Arizona, and the broader Southwest region.