Narrative about pueblo revolt - Essay Example

Essay: Topic: Narrative about Pueblo Revolt Just because the Western historians hailed the native Indians as barbaric, one should not conclude that they were so. The barbaric practices were practiced by Spaniards who initially began to trade with Pueblo Indians and subsequently territorial aggrandizement and exploitation of the local population became their style of functioning. In 1598, the process of colonization began in San Juan Pueblo, about 25 miles north of Santa Fe. The local people were not much enthusiastic to interact with their new neighbors, yet they exchanged medicine and other goods with them.

But the Spaniards began to implement their hidden agenda. They imposed the encomienda system on Pueblo population. As per their motivated plans, the Pueblos were required to give to the Spanish missions and the army, a portion of their agricultural products. The Pueblos were just covering up their own family expenses and had nothing extra to spare, but they were forced to part with their products by the Spanish authorities. The Pueblos were also directed to render free labor in the plantations of the Spaniards.

These highhanded actions led to the beginning of the hostilities. Population-wise Pueblos far outnumbered as compared to those who had come with the avowed objective of colonization. But the Spaniards were cleverly playing the card of religion to win over the Pueblos. “The Franciscans set up a series of missions among the Pueblos with the expectation that they would abandon their religious beliefs for Christianity.” (New Mexico) Those who converted were given the award of land and education for their children.

But Pueblos were utterly loyal to their own customs, religion and culture and the Spaniards were unable to make effective and lasting inroads in this area. By now, Spaniards had taken up the option of intimidation to convert and that was resented by the Pueblos. The brewing discontent ultimately led to the revolt leading to the uprising in Acoma in 1599 by the Pueblos. The Spaniards retaliated highhandedly with barbaric vengeance. The authorities ordered amputation of the right foot of every male Pueblo over the age of twenty-five.

The rebellion also failed in effect, due to another strong reason-- the inability of various tribes of Pueblo Indians to offer a united front of resistance. The scheming Spaniards tried to consolidate their hold on the Pueblo Indians with more barbarity. With majority of the male leaders facing persecution, the question of leadership was the issue with the Pueblos. Spanish Governor Juan Francisco Trevino issued orders for the arrest of 47 Pueblo medicine men in 1675. They commanded lots of respect in the society, practiced traditional medicine, and spoke in favor of the native religions and independence of the people from the Spanish rule of oppression.

The Spanish authorities retaliated by branding them as those practicing witchcraft. They were humiliated, whipped in public and were awarded heavy sentences and lodged in the prions in Santa Fe. When Spanish troops were fighting elsewhere, the Governor was forced to release many prisoners from the Santa Fe jail, and one of them was Pope. He planned an elaborate revolt against the Spaniards and many people expressed their willingness to join him, and the plan was kept top secret. The entire exercise to wage the war against Spaniards took five years to put into operation.

On August 8, 1680, the Pueblos began implementing their plan of attack using the technique of knotted ropes to convey information. Every tribe would strike the Spaniards on a fixed day. But the plan leaked out before the intended journey could be completed by the messengers and they were caught and charged with conspiracy. Nevertheless, the killing of the Spaniards began, Juan Pio, the priest, along with twelve other priests were killed. Pueblo revolt was in full swing and on August 13, Pueblos attacked the capital in Santa Fe.

Spaniards retaliated ruthlessly, but the united front of Pueblos consisting of 2500 warriors killed 400 Spaniards and ransacked the town, burnt churches and crosses. The Spaniard forces suffered from thirst and hunger and made desperate attempts to escape and in the end, reached Texas. Thus, with the united act of defiance, the Pueblos were free from the economienda system, and the threats to their religion and culture. Works CitedNew Mexico Office of the State Historian: Pueblo Revolt, 1680 Web:www.

newmexicohistory.org/filedetails.php?fileID=423,Accessed on March 22, 2013