Why did it take so long for New Mexico to become a state? When the US conquered the territory in 1848, New Mexico had already been a Spanish or Mexican province, and Santa Fe an important trading town, for centuries. I understand that the extension of slavery into the Mexican annexation was a contentious issue, but that pretty much got resolved in 1865. Yet New Mexico didn’t become a state until 1912, later than all the rest of the states carved out of the formerly Mexican territory save Arizona. What gives?
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1511.html
Also, I believe there was some issues involving the division of territory with (what would become) Arizona. In fact, IRRC, Arizona did not wish to become a state, and that held up New mexico with their bid. (not to mention having to come up with a state constitution, government, etc.; which took several years)
Additionally, from what I gathered of Conrad Hilton’s memoirs, there wasn’t much infrastructure in NM, so people relied on their own wits to survive, and trade with Mexico was more common than with the states.