Why did New Mexican's join the Rough Riders?

New Mexicans thought that by joining the Rough Riders, they would prove loyalty to the United States. They hoped the Rough Riders would prove New Mexico worthy to become a state. The call for volunteers resulted in 342 enlisted men and 14 officers; one third of the Rough Riders were from New Mexico, including some prominent citizens.

Rough Ryder's at the turn of the 20th century still a territory New Mexicans wanted to prove their loyalty to the United States they found their Opportunity by doing Teddy Roosevelt Rough Riders to fight in the Spanish American War