William Becknell (1787 or 1788–30 April 1865) was a soldier, politician, and freight operator who is credited with opening the Santa Fe Trail in 1821 and improving the route. But, he was often using long-established trails made by Native Americans and followed by Spanish and French colonial explorers and traders for years before his trip. French colonists in St. Louis had a monopoly on trade with Santa Fe granted by the Spanish rulers before the Louisiana Purchase by the United States.
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