The term refers to a late 19th-century resistance movement primarily active in the New Mexico Territory. Translated literally, it means “the White Caps.” This group, composed largely of Mexican Americans, organized in response to the increasing encroachment of Anglo-American settlers upon their ancestral landholdings and traditional agricultural practices. Their actions included fence cutting, destruction of property, and intimidation tactics aimed at preventing land grabs and protecting the rights of local communities.
The significance of this movement lies in its representation of resistance to economic and cultural displacement. The White Caps’ actions highlighted the tensions arising from westward expansion and the clash between different land tenure systems and ways of life. Their activities challenged the prevailing narrative of Manifest Destiny and underscored the struggles faced by marginalized groups in maintaining their cultural and economic autonomy in the face of rapid social and economic change.
