The Pueblo RevoltThe Pueblo Revoltof 1680of 1680

The event, causes and The event, causes and

historical interpretationshistorical interpretations

The EventThe Event Largest and most successful revolt against Largest and most successful revolt against

European control in North AmericaEuropean control in North America Well planned surprise attackWell planned surprise attack Estimates suggest 400 Spaniards killed—Estimates suggest 400 Spaniards killed—

out of 3,000 resident non-Indiansout of 3,000 resident non-Indians Pueblos and others killed 21 of 33 Pueblos and others killed 21 of 33

Franciscan priests-some were Franciscan priests-some were humiliated, humiliated, tortured and beaten before tortured and beaten before deathdeath

Led to the desecration of churches, Led to the desecration of churches, ravaged missions, buildings and ravaged missions, buildings and documentsdocuments

The EventThe Event Targets were the symbols of Spanish authority, Targets were the symbols of Spanish authority,

religious and secularreligious and secular Organized messengers carried secret calendars of Organized messengers carried secret calendars of

knotted cords as countdown devices: untie knotted cords as countdown devices: untie a a knot each day until completedknot each day until completed

On the pre-arranged day, grab hidden weapons On the pre-arranged day, grab hidden weapons and “burn temples and break-up the bells”and “burn temples and break-up the bells”

18 days of battle, on August 28 1,000 Spaniards 18 days of battle, on August 28 1,000 Spaniards retreat to El Paso del Norteretreat to El Paso del Norte

Called “The Great Southwestern Revolt” by Called “The Great Southwestern Revolt” by historian Jack Forbeshistorian Jack Forbes

Led by Pope (Po pay) and Domingo NaranjoLed by Pope (Po pay) and Domingo Naranjo

The EventThe Event

1692 recapture of New Mexico1692 recapture of New Mexico Don Diego de Vargas retook New Don Diego de Vargas retook New

MexicoMexico The momentum and anger toward The momentum and anger toward

the Spaniards had apparently the Spaniards had apparently abated.abated.

The Causes, The Causes, Historians and Pueblo TraditionHistorians and Pueblo Tradition

Historians tended to rely on Spanish sources Historians tended to rely on Spanish sources only, only,

Presents two serious liabilities: Presents two serious liabilities: Spaniards Spaniards could could not easily understand nuances of not easily understand nuances of societies societies radically different from their own, and radically different from their own, and few few Spanish sources survived the eventSpanish sources survived the event

Spanish survivors interpreted the revolt as a Spanish survivors interpreted the revolt as a rejection of Christianity, or work of the devilrejection of Christianity, or work of the devil

Some attributed it to an “inborn hatred of the Some attributed it to an “inborn hatred of the Spanish”Spanish”

Some attributed the revolt to a love for their Some attributed the revolt to a love for their ancient way of life, reactions to bad ancient way of life, reactions to bad treatmenttreatment

The Causes: The Causes: Van Hastings GarnerVan Hastings Garner

Cites long-term harmonious relationship Cites long-term harmonious relationship between Indians and Spaniardsbetween Indians and Spaniards

Survival of many Indian religious Survival of many Indian religious practices, often embedded in Catholic practices, often embedded in Catholic traditiontradition

Denies overworking of IndiansDenies overworking of Indians Denies long-term causes, spaniards and Denies long-term causes, spaniards and

Pueblos relationship based on “mutual Pueblos relationship based on “mutual needs”needs”

Causes were immediate factors: drought, Causes were immediate factors: drought, famine, Apache raids of the 1670s—famine, Apache raids of the 1670s—major underlying causes. major underlying causes.

The Causes:The Causes:Bowden and GutierrezBowden and Gutierrez

1670s drought, famine, disease and Apache raids1670s drought, famine, disease and Apache raids Some Indians blamed the Spanish GodsSome Indians blamed the Spanish Gods Turn to their own religion to lift the droughtTurn to their own religion to lift the drought Rebellion could be viewed as the only salvation: Rebellion could be viewed as the only salvation:

to maintain their communities and ways of lifeto maintain their communities and ways of life Quest for liberation from Spanish religionQuest for liberation from Spanish religion Quest to rescue their own religionQuest to rescue their own religion Resulted from long resentment toward the Resulted from long resentment toward the

Spaniards and their religionSpaniards and their religion Pope (Po pay) was among 47 men that had been Pope (Po pay) was among 47 men that had been

publicly floggedpublicly flogged 1675, hanging of 4 Indians at Santa Fe plaza on 1675, hanging of 4 Indians at Santa Fe plaza on

accusations of witchcraft.accusations of witchcraft.

The Causes:The Causes:Foote and SchackelFoote and Schackel

Sexual exploitation of Indian women Sexual exploitation of Indian women by Spanish soldiersby Spanish soldiers

Resentment by Indian menResentment by Indian men