spanish conquest maya spanish conquest maya protracted conflict spanish americas spanish allies gradually incorporated territory late states colonial maya occupied territory incorporated modern countries mexico guatemala belize honduras el_salvador conquest began early 16th century generally considered ended conquest maya hindered politically fragmented state spanish native tactics technology differed greatly spanish engaged strategy concentrating native populations newly founded colonial towns viewed taking prisoners outright victory maya capture live prisoners booty maya ambush favoured tactic response use spanish cavalry highland maya took digging pits lining wooden stakes native resistance new settlements took form flight inaccessible regions forest joining neighbouring maya groups submitted european spanish weaponry included light artillery maya warriors fought flint tipped spears bows arrows stones wooden swords blades wore cotton armour protect maya lacked key elements technology functional wheel horses iron steel gunpowder extremely susceptible diseases resistance conquest maya territory contained number competing kingdoms viewed maya needed converted achievements civilization contact maya european explorers came early 16th century spanish ship sailing panama santo domingo wrecked east coast yucatán_peninsula spanish expeditions followed making landfall parts coast spanish conquest maya prolonged affair maya kingdoms resisted integration defeat took centuries maya lowland groups contacted remained independent hostile spanish spanish assault led finally defeated independent maya kingdom geography maya civilization occupied wide territory included southeastern mexico northern central_america area included entire yucatán_peninsula territory incorporated modern countries guatemala belize western portions honduras el_salvador mexico maya occupied territory incorporated states peninsula bordered caribbean_sea east gulf_of_mexico north west incorporates modern mexican states eastern portion state department belize peninsula formed vast plain hills mountains generally low coastline northwestern northern portions yucatán_peninsula experience lower rainfall rest peninsula regions feature highly limestone bedrock resulting surface water contrast northeastern portion peninsula characterised forested northern portion peninsula lacks rivers rivers located south region consists densely forested low lying limestone plain crossed low east west oriented ridges characterised variety forest soil types water sources include generally small rivers low lying seasonal swamps known chain fourteen lakes runs central drainage basin largest lake lake measures kilometres broad savannah extends south central lakes north lakes region frequent interspersed forest south plain gradually rises dense forest covers northern southern portion south state north vegetation turns lower forest consisting dense occupies extreme southeast mexico possesses kilometres pacific coastline features principal highland regions south sierra central separated containing drainage basin featuring hot climate moderate rainfall highlands gain altitude west east highest mountains near border rise sharply north maximum altitude metres descend gradually yucatán_peninsula cut deep valleys running parallel pacific_coast feature complex drainage system feeds eastern end region largely mountainous lowland tropical plains easternmost extreme zone lies south sierra consists narrow coastal plain foothills sierra maya region conquest maya unified single empire time spanish arrived maya civilization thousands years old seen rise fall great cities large maya cities developed far south yucatán_peninsula far formed ancient maya civilization classic period 16th century maya provinces northern likely evolved maya classic period great cities dominated fallen ruin beginning 10th century onset classic maya collapse significant maya presence remained period abandonment major classic period cities population particularly concentrated near permanent water sources early 16th century yucatán_peninsula dominated maya civilization divided number independent provinces shared common culture varied internal organisation spanish discovered provinces important region mutually hostile maya allied spanish maya enemies european time conquest northern peninsula included east north coast bordered caribbean_sea eastern half peninsula provinces modern coast gulf_of_mexico southern portion peninsula number occupied occupied territory lakes maya speaking confused modern inhabitants controlled territory tributaries spanning eastern southwestern fierce reputation spanish defeat controlled influenced parts belize capital island city lake second importance hostile neighbours located eastern lakes occupied territory extended eastwards belize groups known precise territorial extent political makeup remains obscure maya highlands mexican state divided roughly equally non maya western half maya eastern half distribution continued time spanish conquest eve conquest highlands guatemala dominated powerful maya states centuries preceding arrival spanish carved small empire covering large western highlands neighbouring pacific coastal plain late 15th century rebelled allies founded new kingdom southeast capital decades spanish invasion kingdom steadily kingdom highland groups included lake western highlands eastern highlands central highlands occupied number maya peoples including divided number provinces province said small towns grouped closely held territory maya held territory upper reaches drainage near border probably pacific important communication route central mexican highlands central_america triple alliance end 15th century emperor paid tribute highland dominated pacific coastal plain western guatemala eastern portion pacific plain occupied non maya background conquest discovered private entered contracts spanish crown conquer newly discovered lands return tax revenues power rule decades discovery new lands spanish caribbean established centre operations island cuba august capital fallen spanish years fall spanish conquered large mexico extending far south newly conquered territory headed answered king spain weaponry strategies tactics volunteers majority receive fixed salary instead portion victory form precious metals land grants provision native labour spanish experienced soldiers previously campaigned europe addition invasion force probably included dozens armed african slaves politically fragmented state yucatán_peninsula time conquest hindered spanish invasion central political authority overthrown spanish exploited taking advantage pre existing rivalries peoples capture prisoners priority spanish taking prisoners outright victory spanish engaged strategy concentrating native populations newly founded colonial towns known native resistance new settlements took form flight indigenous inhabitants inaccessible regions forest joining neighbouring maya groups submitted spanish remained fell victim diseases coastal convenient spanish administration vulnerable pirate attacks spanish weapons tactics spanish weaponry tactics differed greatly indigenous peoples included spanish use firearms including muskets cannon war dogs war horses horses encountered maya use gave mounted overwhelming advantage opponent allowing rider strike greater force simultaneously making vulnerable attack mounted highly allowed groups combatants quickly displace battlefield horse passive enemy early firearms deteriorated rapidly field weeks campaigning effects climate maya lacked key elements technology use iron steel functional wheels use steel swords greatest technological advantage held spanish deployment cavalry helped rout indigenous armies occasion spanish sufficiently impressed cotton armour maya enemies adopted preference steel armour applied effective military organisation strategic awareness opponents allowing deploy troops supplies way increased spanish advantage 16th century spanish armed handed light artillery easier maintain especially humid tropical climate caribbean region included yucatán_peninsula guatemala spanish routinely fielded indigenous allies brought recently conquered mexico later included maya estimated field battle native indigenous warriors participation allies decisive native weapons tactics maya armies highly disciplined warriors participated regular training exercises drills able bodied adult male available military service maya states maintain standing armies warriors mustered local officials reported appointed units time mercenaries followed permanent leaders warriors time primarily farmers needs crops usually came warfare maya warfare aimed destruction enemy seizure captives maya warriors entered battle spanish flint tipped spears bows arrows stones wore cotton armour protect spanish described weapons war maya bows arrows fire poles flint headed spears handed swords crafted strong wood blade fashioned similar maya warriors wore body armour form cotton soaked salt water resulting armour compared favourably steel armour worn spanish warriors bore wooden animal hide shields decorated feathers animal skins maya historically employed ambush raiding preferred tactic employment spanish proved troublesome europeans response use cavalry highland maya took digging pits roads lining fire hardened stakes grass tactic according killed horses impact old world diseases accidentally introduced spanish included smallpox diseases yellow fever major impact maya populations old world diseases brought spanish indigenous peoples resistance deciding factor conquest populations battles fought estimated indigenous population eliminated disease century european contact single soldier arriving mexico carrying smallpox initiated devastating swept native populations americas modern estimates native population decline vary mortality maya written histories suggest smallpox rapidly transmitted maya area year arrived central mexico deadly diseases aforementioned smallpox number diseases including tuberculosis modern knowledge impact diseases populations prior exposure suggests population maya highlands perished diseases swept periodic 16th century late 16th century malaria arrived region yellow fever reported century mortality high approximately population settlements wiped areas peninsula experience conditions rapidly conquest introduction malaria parasites native population northeastern portion peninsula completely eliminated years conquest suffered catastrophic population collapse estimated drop south conditions spread malaria existed belize population approximately reduced estimated smallpox main time fall estimated maya living lake including large number refugees areas estimated died years colonial rule owing combination disease war encounters july fourth voyage arrived coast honduras sent brother scout island explored large trading canoe approached columbus boarded canoe found maya trading vessel carrying dressed maya rich cargo europeans looted took interest cargo seized elderly captain serve interpreter canoe allowed continue way recorded contact europeans maya likely news strangers caribbean passed maya trade routes invaders sent northern maya god probably recorded time course passed books spanish sailed central american coast command ship reef jamaica survivors wreck including captain set ship boats thirteen days half survivors died landfall coast seized maya lord captain sacrificed companions flesh served feast guerrero held prisoner killing guerrero managed escape captors fled neighbouring lord took prisoner kept slaves time passed slave lord guerrero completely guerrero achieved rank war leader served enemies exploration coast francisco set sail cuba small fleet expedition sailed west cuba weeks sighting northeastern tip yucatán_peninsula ships close shore coastal maya city leagues inland following morning large rowed meet spanish ships thirty maya boarded vessels mixed freely following day ashore spanish party advanced path city ambushed maya warriors thirteen injured arrows assault repulsed maya attack advanced small plaza outskirts city nearby temples found number low grade gold items filled enthusiasm expedition captured retreated ships spanish discovered maya fashioned flint tended impact causing infected wounds slow death wounded died arrow wounds inflicted ambush days fleet followed coastline west south expedition short fresh water shore parties searching water left dangerously exposed ships pull close shore february spanish spotted maya city large contingent ashore fill water approached finely dressed unarmed indians water loaded boats questioned purpose means signs spanish party accepted invitation enter city inside city maya leaders clear spanish killed withdraw immediately spanish party retreated defensive formation safety ships days ships spotted inlet close landing party discovered fresh water armed maya warriors approached city communication attempted signs night fell time water filled attempts communication concluded sunrise spanish surrounded army maya warriors launched assault spanish party received wounds frantic melee followed including spanish forced passage shore discipline collapsed frantic scramble boats ensued leaving spanish vulnerable pursuing maya warriors sea end battle spanish lost men half number men died wounds following days battle lasted hour far help low supplies men lost injured sail ships cuba abandoned ship pilot steered course cuba florida wrote report governor describing voyage importantly discovery gold died soon wounds governor cuba report gold organised new expedition placed nephew command ships small fleet left cuba april landfall island east coast maya inhabitants fled spanish respond friendly fleet sailed south east coast peninsula spanish spotted large maya cities coast land turned north loop north peninsula sail west coast spanish tried water maya refused opened fire city small cannon inhabitants fled allowing spanish abandoned city messages sent maya slow escape maya remained hidden forest spanish boarded ships continued coast fleet approached small number large war ships cannon soon flight mouth spanish sighted warriors natives approach means indicated wished trade wine exchange food supplies natives received gold news empire west expedition continued far confirm reality gold rich empire sailing far north fleet returned cuba spanish attacked avenge previous year defeat spanish expedition led killed wounded ensuing battle including havana months left return aroused great interest cuba believed land waiting plundered new expedition organised fleet ships carrying men horses placed command crew included officers famous including aboard veterans expedition fleet landfall maya temples cast christian cross heard rumours men mainland presumed europeans sent able rescue enslaved maya lord learnt language interpreter fleet looped north yucatán_peninsula followed coast named honour spanish captain discovered anchored ships town maya prepared battle spanish horses firearms quickly decided outcome defeated lords offered gold food clothing group young women tribute women young maya called given spanish marina spoke maya means able communicate continued coast went conquer preparations conquest highlands capital fell spanish maya sent envoys declare allegiance new ruler mexico maya sent delegation sent mexican allies scout region lowland met new powerful highland maya kingdoms declared loyalty allies soon informed loyal spain allies region cavalry infantry cannons thousands allied warriors central mexico arrived passed force route conquer guatemala army included hardened veterans conquest included cavalry artillery accompanied great indigenous allies received peace inhabitants swore allegiance spanish crown reported neighbouring groups guatemala attacking friendly outlook spanish completely forces economic importance new colony spanish reluctant indigenous inhabitants far established result inhabitants likely rounded new settlements planting new crop required years mature maya spanish conquest led expedition honduras land cutting southern kingdom northern guatemala aim subdue rebellious sent conquer honduras set independently territory left october spanish soldiers mounted mexican warriors horses artillery munitions supplies marched maya territory army crossed near crossed province recruited carriers army left march expedition passed onwards territory arrived north shore lake march roman catholic priests accompanying expedition celebrated mass presence king said impressed pledged worship cross destroy idols accepted invitation visit departure left cross lame horse treated deity animal soon died lake continued journey south western slopes lost horses expedition lost hills north came close starvation captured maya boy led safety found village shore crossed settlement dozen companions waited rest army week time remnants expedition reduced succeeded contacting searching find officers rebellion returned mexico sea fringes empire belize 16th 17th centuries spanish military expeditions launched maya belize dominican penetrated region attempts natives spanish settlement territory established lasted years households relocated southern belize shore soon fled forest order counter spanish territory local maya maintained uneasy friendship british operating central belize established maya central belize settlements sacked dutch year conquest army advanced pacific coast unopposed reached western guatemala region formed kingdom army tried unsuccessfully prevent spanish crossing river nearby settlements february army fought battle modern spanish allies stormed town set camp marketplace headed sierra mountains crossing pass valley february mexican allies ambushed pass driven warriors spanish cavalry charge scattered army crossed city modern find deserted spanish accounts relate possibly ruling lords died fierce battles initial approach week later february strong army confronted spanish army valley defeated nobles dead battle exhausted militarily asked peace invited capital deeply suspicious intentions accepted offer marched army spanish conducted roman catholic mass makeshift roof site chosen build church guatemala easter mass held guatemala celebrated new church high ranking natives baptised march plain outside wishing enter narrow streets invited lords king king elect visit camp soon seized kept prisoners response warriors attacked indigenous allies killed spanish soldiers point captured lords burnt death proceeded burn entire city destruction sent messages capital proposing alliance remaining resistance wrote sent warriors assist recorded sent capitulation kingdom peoples dominion submitted spanish included inhabitants area modern department alliance conquest april spanish invited received lords kings provided native soldiers assist continuing resistance help defeat neighbouring kingdom spanish stayed briefly continuing pacific_coast spanish returned capital july july declared capital guatemala los james knights guatemala sent killed allies marched led cavalry spanish infantry unspecified number warriors spanish allies arrived day march rode ahead cavalry lake shore engaged hostile force broken spanish charge survivors pursued causeway island foot inhabitants break bridges rest army soon arrived successfully stormed island surviving fled lake swam safety spanish pursue sent arrived battle took place april following day spanish entered capital found deserted leaders responded surrendering swearing loyalty spain point considered returned days later lords arrived pledge loyalty offer tribute reconnaissance highlands led small party reconnaissance expedition set renamed santo spanish coast gulf_of_mexico party followed near modern spanish party fought defeated following battle headed central highlands easter passed town opposition inhabitants true pledge allegiance years earlier aided spanish indigenous peoples region initially met peaceful embassy approached town took submission inhabitants met armed resistance tried enter province spanish found abandoned lands stripped food attempt discourage invaders day initial approach found gathered warriors ridge steep spanish horses climb met barrage missiles boiling water found nearby town defended formidable metre thick defensive wall spanish stormed wall find inhabitants withdrawn cover torrential rain interrupted battle taking deserted spanish expedition continued allies inhabitants offered armed resistance abandoning town spanish wrote indians killed captured numbered spanish disappointed scarce decided retreat rebellion rapidly began demand gold tribute friendship peoples people abandoned city fled forests hills august days later spanish declared war years later february group sixteen spanish burnt palace sacked temples kidnapped priest acts blamed spanish founded new town nearby spanish abandoned continuous attacks moved east capital kept resistance spanish number years exhausted warfare kings important clans returned day later joined nobles families people surrendered new spanish capital inhabitants dispersed moved rest towns lake siege time conquest main population situated modern city fortifications led use refuge conquest refuge attacked brother spanish cavalry spanish infantry mexican allies left spanish camp guatemala july marched quickly fell spanish hour battle following day marched confronted army warriors army advanced plain battle formation met spanish cavalry charge threw disarray infantry survived cavalry leader killed surviving warriors fled hills spanish army rested days continued onwards find deserted received news spanish advance withdrawn fortress warriors gathered surrounding area fortress possessed formidable defences launched assault weaker northern entrance warriors initially held firm spanish infantry fell repeated cavalry charges seeing outright victory open battlefield impossible withdrew army safety walls dug laid siege fortress army approximately warriors descended mountains north drawn towns allied city relief army annihilated spanish cavalry months reduced starvation finally surrendered city spanish middle october spanish entered city found dead indians survivors eating corpses fall spanish garrison established returned year reconnaissance expedition entered crossed attempt link expedition heading honduras entered guatemala territory unable locate scouts eventually led modern mountainous region near territory inhabitants offered fierce resistance spanish led expedition wrote spanish suffered losses including killing sent summon natives swear loyalty spanish crown failing locate returned guatemala central eastern sent small company conquer capital spanish attempted approach narrow pass forced heavy losses launched second assault allies beaten received reinforcements armies clashed open ground outside city battle chaotic lasted day finally decided spanish cavalry leaders reinforcements surrendered spanish days retreat revealed city secret entrance form cave sent men cover exit cave launched assault single file owing alternating companion shield tactic allowed spanish break pass storm entrance city warriors fell disorder chaotic retreat city managed retreat neighbouring valley ambushed spanish cavalry posted block exit cave survivors captured brought city siege lasted month defensive strength city ordered burned moved inhabitants new colonial village direct sources describing conquest spanish appears drawn campaign rapid victory conquest inhabitants kingdom rebelled spanish fighting battle unidentified site near modern towns highlands inhabited maya time conquest spanish reconnaissance region took place spanish captains invaded orders indigenous population soon rebelled excessive spanish demands rebellion quickly april region considered fully conquered campaign took parts diseases war mines took heavy toll inhabitants eastern guatemala extent indigenous population levels recovered pre conquest levels richer lands mexico engaged main attention years veteran expeditions successfully petitioned right conquer december year issued hereditary military title permission yucatán_peninsula left spain men ships horses small arms cannon provisions ships left santo domingo supply ship provide later support ships set sail reached island east coast second half september received peace lord ships stopped briefly making mainland making landfall near maya province garrisoned soldiers posted nearby pole renamed spanish settlement peninsula provisions soon exhausted additional food local maya villagers soon consumed local maya fled forest spanish raiding parties surrounding area food finding little discontent growing men took drastic step burning ships strengthened resolve troops gradually harsh conditions able food friendly took men set expedition explore north eastern portion peninsula gathered leaders nearby maya towns instructed swear loyalty spanish crown led men town spanish party halted months spring left city abandoned maya inhabitants cover darkness following morning inhabitants attacked spanish party defeated spanish continued engaged major battle left maya dead spanish victory neighbouring maya leaders surrendered party continued heading arrived party found strong garrison survived entire garrison pole slaughtered support ship eventually arrived santo domingo sail south coast sent second command land discovered thriving port city modern maya fed false information spanish unable link returned overland fledgling spanish colony moved nearby modern considered better port waiting result sailed south far honduras turning heading coast finally meet lieutenant late left oversee sailed north loop yucatán_peninsula head spanish colony central mexico conquest highlands young nobleman led expedition guatemala campaign largely january successfully established settlement los valley territory served base operations allowed spanish extend control valley scarce mentions campaign suggests indigenous resistance exact form extent unknown established spanish dominion number settlements penetrated far town spanish colonial power established highlands rights issued individual spanish dominion extended upper drainage valley north northwest incorporated villa santo district included maya territory early years conquest rights effectively meant rights round slaves usually form group mounted launching lightning slave raid population centre prisoners branded slaves sold exchange weapons supplies horses captain crossed raw recruits recently arrived spain time indigenous population greatly reduced combination disease famine travelled meet delegation asked spanish assistance rebellious small contingent spanish cavalry bring line companions proceeded set temporary camp nearby named arrived mandate establish new colonial province highlands initially met resistance veteran established region heard highlands sought order persuade leave eventually met entered protracted month negotiations spanish settlers santo los eventually agreement reached santo lay highlands merged form new province unknown king issued order settlements los transferred end result negotiations established settlers los broken settlers wished remain transferred moved fertile valley left returned guatemala proceeded policy moving indians process easier reduced indigenous population levels issued covering regions order encourage colonists conquer new territory coastal territory end process spanish settlers concentrated remote provincial capital surrounded hostile indian settlements deep internal divisions rebellion highlands managed establish new provincial capital armed conflict excessive spanish demands labour supplies soon provoked locals rebellion august replaced existing friends allies natives seeing spanish isolated witnessing hostility original newly arrived settlers took opportunity rebel refused supply new masters indigenous settlement remained loyal spanish surrounded hostile territory spanish help far away value colonists quickly ran short food responded taking arms riding indians search food slaves indians abandoned towns hid women children caves rebellious populations concentrated easily defended lengthy battle fought maya spanish resulting deaths number spanish battle lasted days spanish supported indigenous warriors central mexico battle eventually resulted spanish victory rest province remained rebellious battle villa real short food ill retreated protests town council left defend fledgling colony governor mexico juan end term judge mayor local colonial governor occupied post year time attempted spanish control province especially northern eastern regions unable founding real finally took post governor immediately reinstated old los transferred new owners spanish launched expedition successful terms conquest enabled spanish seize slaves trade weapons horses newly acquired supplies expeditions conquer independent regions leading cycle slave raids trade supplies followed conquests slave raids family managed establish power base local colonial institutions succeeded having los declared city new real managed acquire special privileges crown order colony specified governor govern person delegated representative quick turnover continued legal spanish wives legitimate children inherit situation dire shortage spanish women colony influx new colonists establishment new laws issued aim protecting indigenous peoples spanish colonies las followers left spain july enforce new laws las arrived real fellow march religious order attempt native population arrival meant colonists longer free treat natives saw fit risk intervention religious authorities soon came conflict established colonists colonial opposition forced flee real fear lives established nearby indigenous villages old site las companions prepared territory fell promoted james slayer readily identifiable image spanish military superiority soon saw need real hostilities colonists stone new dominican convent real placed appointed mayor local colonial governor province aid son named sent eastern conquer extended southeast younger founded base operations established base launch new attempts conquer proved disappointment gold taking lower levels population hoped soon abandoned new settlement set lands arriving end later joined moved base operations sent overland east peninsula passing received maya continued southeast founded spanish town borders modern belize local maya fiercely resisted placement new spanish colony men forced abandon honduras strong maya force attacked city repulsed spanish lord attacking maya surrendered spanish battle younger northern province lord reluctantly allowed found spanish town real province soldiers months spanish rule killed failed attempt kill younger death lord served anger mid laid siege small spanish garrison younger abandoned real night men fled west provinces remained spanish rule younger received friendship lord province spring rejoined father province near modern maya maintained friendship spanish conquest spanish authority eventually established large support founded new spanish town spanish suffered hardships returned received friendship local maya accompanied friendly lord younger remained continue attempts conquest region soon retreated rejoin father returned shortly time news began arrive conquests peru rich soldiers began abandon seek fortune seven years attempted conquest northern provinces yucatán_peninsula little gold found end beginning year son retreated veracruz taking remaining soldiers elder embroiled colonial right rule honduras claim conflict captain general guatemala claimed honduras jurisdiction ultimately prove successful elder absence central mexico honduras younger acted lieutenant governor captain general conflict arrived attempt peaceful incorporation initial efforts proving successful captain arrived command soldiers younger soon conflict forced abandon return central mexico attempt subdue maya unsuccessful younger sent cousin command diplomatic successful submitted spanish rule spanish outpost yucatán_peninsula increasingly isolated situation difficult province ordered explore conquer area san_antonio colonial times area referred marched maya city named speaking allies force mexican allies referred city renamed city spanish founded village nearby april year renaming campaigns years fall spanish expeditions crossed engaged gradual complex conquest spanish attracted region hope gold silver mountains difficult terrain relatively low population conquest exploitation extremely difficult population estimated european contact time spanish physically arrived region collapsed effects old world diseases run ahead fell spanish sufficiently isolated evade immediate spanish attention allies warriors spanish forces city trying rebellion spanish decided military action necessary magistrate guatemala penetrated eastern spanish infantry allied indigenous warriors early september imposed temporary spanish authority towns spanish army marched east handed command inexperienced returned capital launched disastrous scale frontal assault city soon spanish attacked ambushed rear thousand warriors spanish forces routed heavy losses indigenous allies slain captured alive warriors sacrificed year later set los relocated expedition leading thirty cavalry spanish infantry allied indigenous warriors expedition recruited forces march north steep southern slopes clashed thousand warriors lengthy battle followed spanish cavalry army forced retreat fortress spanish besieged city indigenous allies managed penetrate stronghold set fire allowed spanish storm entrance break defences victorious spanish branded surviving warriors slaves inhabitants immediately spanish soon news battle reached spanish continued east find defended thousand warriors including forces heavily outnumbered spanish cavalry firearms decided battle spanish overran branded surviving warriors slaves surrounding towns surrendered december marked end military stage conquest city known given reduction spanish took place overseen dominican missionaries year settlement founded place resistance largely passive based withdrawal inaccessible mountains forests order built church san remained rebellious resisted spanish control longer highland neighbours resistance possible owing alliance lowland north century spanish frontier expanding reached advancement region fiercely independent inhabitants time spanish contact 16th century inhabited people referred aggressive numbers refugees neighbouring indigenous groups fleeing spanish domination ecclesiastical authorities worried threat peaceful efforts eventually supported military intervention spanish expedition carried commanded repeated expeditions succeeded destroying villages manage subdue inhabitants region bring successful resistance spanish attempts domination served attract indians fleeing colonial rule council led governor guatemala decided reduction nearby january captain acting orders governor left recruited indigenous warriors nearby villages prevent news spanish advance reaching inhabitants area governor ordered capture community leaders sent guard imprisoned governor joined captain february ordered captain remain village use base operations penetrating region spanish missionaries remained town governor subsequently left enter region conquest colonial authorities decided act plan connect province guatemala way invasion launched simultaneously captain accompanied missionaries spanish soldiers left following route managed way recruit indigenous maya warriors february groups left respective bases operations conquer group headed northeast jungle joined president guatemala soldiers commanded conquered number communities important renamed del april spanish built fort garrisoned spanish soldiers diego based del fellow baptised following months established contacts neighbouring communities group marched northern accompanied remained del early 18th century land war area immediately north new colony guatemala referred land war simultaneously known true peace land war described area undergoing conquest region dense forest difficult spanish penetrate militarily spanish located centre population region inhabitants moved concentrated new colonial settlement near edge jungle spanish easily control strategy resulted gradual forest simultaneously converting wilderness refuge fleeing spanish domination individual refugees entire communities 16th century start 18th century included vast area west caribbean coast extended northwards intermediate area highlands northern dominican las arrived colony guatemala immediately campaigned replace violent military conquest peaceful missionary work offered achieve conquest preaching catholic faith way group christian indians location town las instrumental introduction new laws established spanish crown control colonists indigenous inhabitants americas result met substantial resistance spanish colonists distracted efforts establish peaceful control land war spanish offended local ruler killed allies response killing expedition launched headed leader independent indians captured expedition taken santo established shore century infamous dominican missionaries practice inhabitants important staging post european expeditions interior remained important role late abandoned conquest settlement northern elder late 60s turned royal rights son younger early younger joined cousin remain long quickly moved forces younger commanding spanish soldiers established permanent spanish town council yucatán_peninsula shortly younger summoned local maya lords commanded submit spanish crown number lords submitted peacefully including ruler maya lord refused submit younger sent cousin called younger remained awaiting reinforcements younger cousin met far january founded second permanent town council calling new colonial town january lord approached spanish peace greatly impressed roman catholic mass celebrated benefit converted new religion ruler powerful province northern submission spain conversion christianity repercussions peninsula encouraged lords western provinces peninsula accept spanish rule eastern provinces continued resist spanish younger sent cousin eastern lords greeted peace maya resisted fiercely soon defeated opposed spanish domination quickly defeated continued eastern province drowned storm killed hostile maya rumours grew telling provinces rose spanish hold eastern portion peninsula remained number maya remained independent including november alliance eastern provinces launched coordinated uprising spanish provinces united effort drive invaders peninsula uprising lasted months eighteen surprised eastern towns sacrificed allied maya killed impending attack younger cousin arrived december reinforcements gathered rebellious eastern maya finally defeated single battle allied maya killed battle marked final conquest northern portion yucatán_peninsula result uprising spanish response maya inhabitants eastern southern territories fled extreme south southern covers area guatemala colonial times originally fell jurisdiction governor transferred jurisdiction guatemala contact period lasted superior spanish weaponry use cavalry decisive northern ill suited warfare dense forests lowland early 17th century leaders backed threat spanish action persuaded community settle coast april new settlement immediately suffered drop population reported extinct sources attending towns placed administration governor ecclesiastical head moved spanish soldiers region protect raids north new spanish garrison area previously seen heavy spanish military presence provoked revolt followed abandonment indigenous settlements following visit spanish attempted visit inhabitants years set mission attempt peaceful conversion pagan central accompanied maya received current attempts convert failed left friendly terms king returned october welcomed friendly manner time maya hostile missionaries expelled food water survived journey march captain set spanish soldiers launch assault joined expedition advanced waited reinforcements route left expedition way eighty maya belize joined escort soldiers soon arrival capital seized sacrificed spanish party soon january war party led caught soldiers guard unarmed church slaughtered spanish reinforcements arrived late number local maya men women killed attackers burned town following maya governor set maya track captured captain followers taken spanish captain interrogated torture tried executed events ended spanish attempts contact internal strife spain distracted government attempts conquer unknown lands spanish crown lacked time money interest colonial adventures decades late 17th century nobleman proposed spanish king construction road southwards link colony process reducing independent native populations colonial greater plan southern upper reaches beginning march captain led group spanish soldiers south territory accompanied native guides labourers rounded natives moved colonial settlements met armed resistance retreated middle april march captain set guatemala spanish soldiers accompanied large number maya native dominican pressed ahead lake engaged series fierce skirmishes hunting parties spanish encountered large force retreated south main camp expedition immediately withdrew mid marched southwards spanish soldiers maya plus maya labourers expedition joined companies maya ordered construction fort leagues approximately miles north lake served main military base real royal road project company native engaged skirmish near abandoned town injured retreated injury company seized large amounts abandoned food deserted settlements retreated small group led sought engaged unable find returned group continued following territory august moved entire army forward october spanish soldiers established near source november garrisoned soldiers december main force reinforced soldiers spanish maya labourers expeditions september january small group arrived august early november sent establish mission received native chief pagan priest sufficiently far new spanish road free military interference oversaw building church largest mission town territory second church built attend refugees gathered spanish church established overseen left december arrived january accompanied companions baptised children following days tried convince convert christianity surrender spanish crown success king cited prophecy said time right learnt plot allies ambush kill king advised return february march captain arrived mid january soldiers plus labourers captain senior officer arrived allied warriors accompanied maya approached carrying approximately warriors warriors freely spanish party encounter degenerated skirmish dozen spanish party seized killed spanish soldiers opened fire muskets retreated lake prisoners included spanish party retreated lake shore open ground surrounded thousands warriors ordered men fire volley killed realising outnumbered spanish retreated abandoning captured companions began organise assault work road month battle spanish arrived supported artillery expedition set early advance party led trap expedition members lost including soldiers maya rest party arrived shore lake quickly retreated guatemala assault arrived western shore lake soldiers february built heavily armed attack boat carried men artillery pieces march received mixed embassy peace invited visit days later appointed day failed arrive instead maya warriors amassed shore lake morning assault launched capital commanded rowed east soldiers half way lake encountered large fleet blocking approach simply rowed large quantity defenders gathered shore roofs city shot invaders defending soon fled spanish gunfire city fell brief bloody battle warriors died spanish suffered minor casualties battle surviving defenders swam mainland melted away forests leaving spanish occupy abandoned town renamed los lady remedy lake soon captured help maya ruler king soon captured maya nobles families defeat independent native kingdom americas fell european final years conquest campaign conquer spanish sent expeditions harass relocate north maya forests east south shore lake half 18th century local inhabitants consisted entirely mixed race associated fort guarding entrance drastic constant slave raids caribbean coast effectively ended maya population region captured maya sold slavery british colony jamaica late 17th century small population maya southern belize forcibly removed people absorbed population jungle early 18th century neighbouring longer existed separate people combination high mortality time spanish decided reduction independent maya living north catholic priests founded mission towns lake surviving new colonial towns mixture force leaders mission towns rebelled planned rebellion quickly crushed leaders executed mission towns abandoned maya remained central compared times number disease responsible majority deaths spanish expeditions warfare indigenous groups played legacy spanish conquest initial shock spanish conquest followed decades heavy exploitation indigenous peoples allies foes alike following years colonial rule gradually imposed spanish cultural standards peoples spanish created new settlements laid grid pattern spanish style central plaza church town hall housing civil government known style settlement seen villages towns area introduction catholicism main vehicle cultural change resulted religious old world cultural elements came thoroughly adopted maya groups greatest change replacement pre economic order european technology livestock included introduction iron steel tools replace tools cattle pigs chickens new crops introduced coffee led plantations economically exploited native labour indigenous noble family manage maintain level status colonial period second half 18th century adult male indians heavily forced debt western neighbouring remained sparsely populated maya inhabitants avoided contact spanish historical sources sources describing spanish conquest guatemala include written spanish letters written describing initial campaign wrote account supports brother wrote account king spain explained campaign established spanish colony wrote lengthy account conquest mexico neighbouring regions true history conquest new spain account conquest guatemala generally agrees included description expedition account conquest highlands accompanied reconnaissance wrote account battle inhabitants described expedition honduras fifth letter dominican las wrote highly critical account spanish conquest americas included accounts incidents guatemala allies spanish wrote accounts conquest included letter spanish king protesting poor treatment campaign accounts form answered colonial protest register claim accounts painted indigenous tradition survived accounts conquest seen point view defeated highland maya kingdoms included number indigenous documents including annals letter defeated maya nobility spanish king written details exploitation peoples colonial historian spanish descent wrote florida book written regarded important works history field investigation tended support estimates indigenous population army sizes given colonial historian detailed expeditions spanish missionaries los sea centuries spanish domination history province based report lost recorded account late 17th century journeys spanish finally conquered produced vast quantity documentation spanish colonial official wrote las del history conquest province reduction advances nations indians intervention provinces detailed history
Spanish conquest of the Maya