Why did Native Americans increase their attacks on traders along the Santa Fe Trail after the Mexican War?
A. Many traders had started to rob Native American villages to get goods to trade. The Native Americans fought back.
B. They resented the loss of their land to Texas settlers.
C. Mexico was angry about its defeat in the Mexican War. It paid Native Americans to attack the traders.
D. The United States government ordered the traders to pay a tax to the Native Americans along the Trail, but traders refused to pay the tax.
The correct answer is A. Many traders had started to rob Native American villages to get goods to trade. The Native Americans fought back.
To arrive at this answer, we need to analyze the options and identify the most plausible explanation based on historical context. Here's how you could approach it:
Option A suggests that traders were robbing Native American villages to obtain goods for trade. This scenario would create tension and provoke a retaliatory response from the Native Americans. To verify this answer, you can look for evidence from historical sources such as primary documents, books, or scholarly articles that discuss the relationship between traders and Native Americans along the Santa Fe Trail during this time.
Option B states that Native Americans resented the loss of their land to Texas settlers. While this is a valid concern, it is not directly related to the increase in attacks on traders along the Santa Fe Trail after the Mexican War. This option does not align with the given context.
Option C suggests that Mexico paid Native Americans to attack traders in response to its defeat in the Mexican War. However, without supporting evidence, this option seems less likely. It would be helpful to consult historical sources that discuss Mexico's actions after the war to validate this claim.
Option D states that the United States government ordered traders to pay a tax to the Native Americans, but traders refused to comply. While taxation issues can cause conflicts, there is no evidence provided that directly links this scenario to the increased attacks on traders along the Santa Fe Trail after the Mexican War. This option may not accurately explain the situation.
In conclusion, option A - the traders robbing Native American villages - is the most compelling explanation based on the context provided. This interpretation aligns with the historical dynamics and deserves further investigation through credible sources.