Page "Four Corners Monument" Paragraph 13

In 1861, in the midst of the American Civil War, a group of people in the southern portion of New Mexico Territory passed a resolution condemning the United States for creating a vast territory with only a single, small government in place at Santa Fe.

They claimed by doing so the U. S. had ignored the needs of the southern portion, left them without a functional system of law and order, and allowed the situation to deteriorate into a state of chaos and near anarchy.

The group declared secession from the United States and announced their intent to join the Confederate States of America under the name of the Arizona Territory.

The U. S. Congress responded in 1863 by creating another Arizona Territory with different, but partially overlapping boundaries.

The Confederate boundaries split New Mexico along an east – west line, the 34th parallel north, allowing for a single state connection from Texas to the Colorado River.

This would give the Confederacy access to California and the Pacific coast.

The Union definition split New Mexico along a north – south line, extending the boundaries established for Colorado.

This created the quadripoint at the modern Four Corners – with two territories separating California from Texas.

After the split, New Mexico resembled its modern form, with slight differences.