The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 - Essay Example

Nevertheless, they continued their vigilance in the occupied territory. Spain authorities attacked the Pueblo from two ends, economic and religious. “Spanish officials forced Pueblos to conform to the economically imbalanced encomienda and repartimiento systems, under which Pueblos were forced to pay tribute to the Spanish government.

In addition, 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) They were proved wrong. The Franciscans wished to retain their presence, when the economic agenda of the Spanish authorities failed to deliver the results. The religious agenda was supported with financial grants from the Government funds. The religious agenda too failed soon. When the Spanish Pueblo individuals were persecuted on religious grounds, it caused deep resentment.

On 10th August 1680, they faced a sudden assault from the combined might of Pueblo. Even though the plot was uncovered by the Spaniards a day before the attack, Pueblos fared well and “more than four hundred” (New Mexico)Spaniard settlers were annihilated; besides, “twenty-one Franciscans”(New Mexico) were murdered. Many Pueblos also died in the operation. Conclusion To sum up some of the factors that could be listed for the revolt, were draught, intertribal warfare, famine and the highhandedness of the authorities and above all the commitment of the Pueblos to their native religious belief systems.