History of the Southwest

1. History of the Southwest Miss Howe

2. Longhorns • This temperamental creature, called the Texas Longhorn, is a steer descended from a Spanish breed of cow introduced into Mexico. Since Mexico was well-suited to cattle raising, the cattle multiplied quickly. By the late 1700's, millions roamed around what became South Texas. When these cattle bred with the America cattle, the product was a strong, mean cow with long horns spanning six feet. While the American cows needed plenty of water and grazing land to survive, the long-horned cows survived better in the dry environment of the Southwest. They also moved quickly and could fend off wild animals, like wildcats and bears. Even though they were hard to capture, Texans found the long-horned cattle very profitable - they provided beef and hides, and could be driven long distances to be sold.

4. Ranching and Cowboys • Ranching in the Southwest was built upon traditions established in Mexico. After the Spanish introduced the raising of sheep, cattle, and horses in Mexico, the knowledge of ranching was tested, perfected, and spread to the lands that became the Southwest. The whole system of ranches that developed in California and Texas grew out of the Mexican system of ranchos, where their livestock could roam. In the dry Southwest, ranchos became a way to provide adequate land so that the livestock had access to enough water and vegetation to stay healthy.

5. Ranching and Cowboys • The ranch work involved in cattle raising followed the Mexicano traditions closely. The house in the photograph is where the ranchero, or owner of the ranch, lived. The corral, also shown, is where the vaquero (cowboy) worked as a ranch hand. Mexicano vaqueros can be credited with developing the gear, clothing, and language still used by modern cowboys. The wide-brimmed sombrero (hat) shielded the vaquero from the heat of the sun, and could be used as a water pail or pillow. Chaparreras (chaps) protected his legs from the cacti and sagebrush. Botas (boots) helped a vaquero stay on his horse.

7. Irrigation • In the dry Southwestern climate, the irrigation techniques practiced by Mexicanos became very important in farming. In order to supply dry lands with water, it was necessary to redirect water from streams or rivers. To do this, Mexicanos built a dam of rocks, earth, and brush across a stream and turned the water into a ditch they had already dug. Water then flowed along the ditch to the field or buildings that needed water. Ranches, or large farms, benefited greatly from irrigation. As orchards grew throughout the Southwest, this ability to supply land with water became very valuable. The photograph shows the irrigation of a large field in Southern California, where irrigation work by Mexicanos has contributed to great farming success.

9. Citrus Agriculture • The many citrus trees pictured here in Southern California can be traced to the 1700's, when Mexicanos brought them to many Southwestern areas. Apples, wild grapes, sugar cane, date palms, and walnuts were just some of the crops brought to Mexico from Spain. Realizing that many of these would grow well in the Southwestern climate, Mexicanos brought lemons, limes, and oranges to California in the late 1700's. They found that these fruit trees grew well in large orchards. This was the beginning of California's great farm and orchard system. Arizona, too, is famous for its citrus groves, since its soil and climate are ideal for producing flavorful fruit.

11. Architecture • This photograph shows workers in New Mexico building with adobe, a sign of the lasting Mexicano influence on Southwestern architecture. Spanish architecture in Mexico flourished during the time that Spain colonized Mexico and became a permanent feature of the Southwest. Mexicano buildings were functional and in harmony with nature. Since wood was sparse in the Southwest, Mexicanos built with other materials. They used the earth, or adobe, to build houses, and eventually made bricks for larger buildings. Adobe house suit the Southwest climate well because they say cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than wood houses. Red tile roofs are another feature of Mexicano architecture that remain today. These tiles protect the adobe brick walls from the rain and are also fireproof. Other architectural contributions are patios and verandas. These open, partially covered courtyards allow Southwesterners to be outside, yet protected from the sun and wind.

13. El Camino Real • El Camino Real, which means "The Royal Road" in Spanish, is the road that connected all of the 21 California missions. This road was traveled by mule trains, wagons, and stagecoaches. It was name the Royal, or King's, Road by the Spanish mission fathers because they hoped that one day the King of Spain would visit California and travel the full length of the road. Today, the road still connects the northern and southern parts of California, as Highway 101 follows segments of El Camino Real.

15. Catholicism • A majority of Mexicans today are Catholics. Under the Spanish colonial system, much of Mexico was converted to Catholicism, a faith that spread north through the mission system. Mission churches were built throughout the Southwest in order to teach more people about Christianity. Although the missions lost their religious influence in the 1830's, the impact made by the Catholic church remained. Many Mexicanos in the Southwest have maintained a deep attachment to the Catholic faith.

17. Family • In traditional Mexican society, the community is centered around la familia, the extended family. Mexicanos have a deep sense of family identity and loyalty, values that have set a strong example in communities throughout the Southwest. Traditional Mexican families are large, and are based on cooperation, support, and responsibility. The needs of the family as a group outweigh the needs of individual family members. Support from friends and relatives also comes from a traditional institution called compadrazgo, or the godfather system. A godfather sponsor's a friend's child at special religious ceremonies, and agrees to other obligations to the child and his or her parents. California law has been directly influenced by the Mexican belief that the whole community benefits from family unity.

19. Dance • The color and energy of traditional Mexican dance have become a part of the culture of the Southwest. In the photograph, folk dancers at a fiesta, or party, in New Mexico move to the rhythm of Mexican folk songs. The dancers wear traditional costumes, including the sombrero, a wide-brimmed hat, and the sarape, a woven blanket that is folded and worn over one shoulder. Folk dancers combine the traditions of Mexican music and song with the dance routines. For example, they dance to huapangos - romantic and humorous songs - in fast steps that have a complicated rhythm. Best known to Americans in the Southwest is the jarabetapatio, or "hat dance", during which dancers tap out the songs' rhythms around a hat.

21. Music • Mexican popular music is known and enjoyed all over the US and has greatly influenced the country and western music of the Southwest. One type of Mexican folk music that was absorbed by pioneer settlers in the Southwest is the corrido, or ballad. A corrido is a dramatic story sung to the accompaniment of guitars. Music Ranchera was another type of music that grew out of ranching traditions and influenced Western cowboy music. Mariachi music of Mexico has become an important part of the culture. A mariachi band usually includes guitars, violins, and trumpets. Mariachi musicians wear colorful costumes called charro suits, and walk around from cafes to plazas and other places.

23. Food! • The woman in this picture is making corn dough into a tortilla to be bake on an iron plate. This most popular and ancient of Mexican foods is just one example of Southwest cuisine. People all over the region enjoys spicy dishes like tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and chile. When cooked in the traditional Mexican way, over charcoal, dishes have a unique flavor. In each of the Southwestern states, traditional Mexican ingredients like beans, rice, peppers, and tortillas are used to create popular dishes and unique recipes.