One of new mexico's external challenges to becoming a state dealt with the perception that new mexicans a. were not patriotic to the united states. b. would not be satisfied to be a state. c. did not have enough income to pay taxes. d. were unwilling to serve in the military.

The correct answer is A. One of New Mexico's external challenges to becoming a state dealt with the perception that New Mexicans were not patriotic to the United States.

From 1810 until its statehood in 1912, New Mexico was part of Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas and, finally, the United States of America (with the Civil War having New Mexico on the Confederate side between 1861 and 1865, as part of Texas).

This situation made that, certainly, the population of New Mexico had a origin and a national feeling very diverse among themselves, more specifically after the Civil War. But over the years, the settlers of New Mexico were amalgamating with the American population, and by 1912 they were already an integral part of the society of the United States of America.