President Mirabeau Lamar’s goals for the Santa Fe Expedition were to expand the Republic’s territory and gain access to the valuable trade conducted along the Santa Fe Trail, but the expedition was a disaster that left Lamar in disgrace. In 3–5 sentences, explain why the Santa Fe Expedition was a disaster for President Lamar.(4 points)
The Santa Fe Expedition was a disaster for President Lamar primarily due to its failure to achieve its main goals. The expedition was ill-prepared and faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather conditions, difficulties in securing provisions, and hostile encounters with Native American tribes. The expedition ultimately ended in failure, with Lamar and his troops being forced to return to Texas empty-handed. This failure led to Lamar being widely criticized and discredited, leading to his eventual political downfall and disgrace.
