spanish conquest spanish conquest campaign undertaken spanish late territory incorporated modern mexican state region physically diverse featuring number highland areas including southern plain known central depression formed drainage spanish conquest inhabited variety indigenous peoples including maya peoples unidentified group referred incorporated centred valley mexico paid tribute news strangers arrived region spanish penetrated empire early spanish expeditions crossed land spanish ships scouted pacific_coast highland colonial town los established year spanish dominion extended upper drainage basin valley rights established earlier stages conquest amounted little slave raiding rights colonial province established reorganisation existing colonial jurisdictions renaming relocation excessive spanish demands tribute labour caused rebellion indigenous inhabitants attempted spanish launched raids natives abandoned towns fled inaccessible regions internal divisions spanish led general instability province eventually faction gained concessions spanish crown allowed elevation status city real establishment new laws promoted stability newly conquered region geography mexican state occupies extreme southeast mexico covering area square kilometres west borders mexican states veracruz north borders east guatemala southern border consists kilometres pacific coastline geographically culturally diverse features principal highland regions south sierra central separated containing drainage basin sierra highlands gain altitude west east highest mountains near border zone lies south sierra consists narrow coastal plain foothills sierra entire coastal strip referred proper southeastern portion characterised humid tropical climate rich agricultural lands northwestern portion coastal strip featuring drier climate historically referred generally referred spanish consists drainage basin kilometres long varying width kilometres fed drainage mountains guatemala highland regions wide plains feature hot climate moderate rainfall divided zones eastern stretching border western zone colonial times referred region high plains blocks passage cut way means highland region northern extreme bordering considered rise sharply north maximum altitude metres descend gradually yucatán_peninsula cut deep valleys running parallel pacific_coast feature complex drainage system feeds feeds feature high rainfall diverse vegetation dependent altitude high altitude pine forests lowland tropical forest north east plains eastern end largely mountainous lowland tropical plains easternmost extreme conquest earliest human inhabitants living northern highlands coastal strip approximately approximately majority territory covered state occupied speaking peoples gradually speakers began east divided roughly equally western half maya eastern half distribution continued time spanish conquest broad western held covering middle basin parts pacific coastline main settlements settlements western included valley small settlement grew modern state capital tribute dominated trade routes running territory pre times featured largest cities region area occupied ethnicity language unknown militarily powerful spanish conquest forced number important settlements pay tribute successfully resisted incorporated territory lay territories upper middle basin main settlements central highlands occupied number maya peoples including divided number provinces province said small towns grouped closely maya people territory maya held territory upper reaches drainage near border probably important communication route central mexican highlands central_america triple alliance end 15th century emperor paid tribute maya speaking confused modern inhabitants controlled territory tributaries spanning eastern southwestern guatemala fierce reputation spanish prelude conquest rumours strangers atlantic coast reached long physical presence region followed emperor maya highlands warning prepare war spanish soon followed news great capital fallen mixed embassy included maya visited recently conquered capital received spanish ships explored pacific shore followed coast panama northwest december year lord town travelled spanish settlement villa del santo modern pledge alliance newcomers strategies tactics weaponry spanish conquest principal aims physical incorporation indigenous peoples spiritual conversion christianity involved indigenous power structures destruction pagan temples idols concentration indigenous populations settlements easily controlled incorporation new settlements spanish system tributes taxes introduction christian imagery involved armed struggle spanish colonial administration force religious struggle generally peaceful conversion indigenous populations christianity efforts generally carried involved concentration indians new settlements construction churches religious instruction natives 16th century spanish armed light artillery mounted armed metre lance served pike variety bills employed handed metre long handed version metre arms horn bone cane supplied facilitate drawing string easier maintain especially humid tropical climate metal armour limited use hot wet tropical climate heavy constantly cleaned prevent direct sunlight metal armour hot went metal armour donned immediately prior battle quick adopt cotton armour based native opponents commonly combined use simple metal war hat shields considered essential infantry cavalry generally circular target shield convex form fashioned iron wood rings secured arm hand colonial labour supply system process established slave raids cycle conquest spanish round indigenous peoples brand slaves trade ports gulf_of_mexico horses weaponry allowing conquest acquisition new slaves trade maya highland spears thrown rocks bows arrows large flexible cotton shields protected warrior head foot rolled storage towns defended walls built packed earth stone reinforced tree defenders stones pour boiling water mixed lime ashes attackers spanish established indigenous resistance took form flight inaccessible regions impact old world diseases heavily populated prior conquest impact diseases factors resulted hot moist lands remain sparsely populated day likewise rapidly result disease soon contact spanish deadly diseases smallpox number diseases including tuberculosis conquest spanish passed force route conquer guatemala army included hardened veterans conquest included cavalry artillery great indigenous allies received peace inhabitants swore allegiance spanish crown reported neighbouring groups guatemala attacking friendly outlook spanish letter describing passage lost knowledge events come account present related report completely forces years native population levels collapsed result exposure diseases estimated drop spite colonial administration demanded twice tribute paid prior spanish invasion continued important crop colonial period economic importance new colony spanish reluctant indigenous inhabitants far established result inhabitants likely rounded new settlements planting new crop required years mature spanish jurisdiction province subject frequent changes immediately conquest held real mexico jurisdiction province held governed colonial officers appointed mexico passed jurisdiction guatemala independent governors appointed crown passed jurisdiction mexico independent province administered guatemala remained late 18th century ecclesiastical jurisdiction inhabitants equally chaotic placed diocese transferred diocese guatemala active early years colonial rule withdrew low levels indigenous population climate diocese returned guatemala reconnaissance expeditions led small party reconnaissance expedition set renamed santo spanish coast gulf_of_mexico party passed territory 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 arrived town initially met peaceful embassy understood submission inhabitants met armed resistance tried enter province spanish found approach abandoned lands stripped food attempt discourage invaders day initial approach found gathered warriors ridge steep spanish horses climb met barrage stones spears arrows boiling water mixed lime ash found nearby town defended formidable metre thick defensive wall fashioned stone earth reinforced mocked spanish small quantities gold inviting try rest walls spanish stormed wall find inhabitants left spears planted inside spanish think warriors defending town actually 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 expedition originally high expectations encountering densely populated region quickly submit spanish rule natives effectively slave labour fierce resistance expedition quickly extinguished hopes years reconnaissance titles issued justification seize slaves given given year later entered crossed attempt link expedition headed crossed gulf_of_mexico honduras entered guatemala territory unable locate scouts eventually led modern guatemala 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 conquest highlands known fell jurisdiction transferred guatemala self governing province years fell jurisdiction guatemala province governed real known las 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 maya inhabited small area border probably conquered spanish concentrated small established royal road spanish real running established spanish dominion number settlements penetrated far town travelled territory lands given residents spanish colonial power established highlands rights issued individual spanish dominion extended upper drainage valley area incorporated villa san district including north northwest incorporated villa santo district included maya territory territory early years conquest rights effectively meant rights round slaves usually form group mounted launching lightning slave raid population centre prisoners branded slaves taken port sold order purchase weapons supplies horses cases round elders chain whip set war dogs order force natives hand tribute food clothing captain crossed recruits recently arrived spain military experience 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 cousin governor arrived mandate establish new colonial province highlands initially met resistance veteran spanish established region heard highlands sought order persuade leave eventually met entered protracted month negotiations spanish settlers santo los eventually agreement reached lay highlands removed jurisdiction 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 containing rich land belonging decided leave returned guatemala proceeded policy moving indians new nuclear settlements easy control process easier reduced indigenous population levels town established way relocation inhabitants valley belonged inhabitants villa del santo gave brother issued covering regions edge valley order encourage colonists conquer new territory coastal territory end process spanish settlers concentrated remote provincial capital surrounded hostile indian settlements deep internal divisions rebellion managed establish new provincial capital armed conflict excessive spanish demands labour supplies soon provoked locals rebellion colonists demanded indians supply food wood construction build new houses spanish addition pigs introduced spanish causing great damage natives fields 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 result rocks cast battle lasted days spanish supported indigenous warriors central mexico battle eventually resulted spanish victory rest province remained rebellious battle villa real short food ill sent brother capital ask help 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 constant change colonial administrators corresponding reissue licenses relatives friends incoming official prolonged instability province 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 lieutenant rebel victorious turn demanded general instability continued family managed establish power base local colonial institutions faction 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 time intervened appointing judges exert greater control allocation establishment new laws issued aim protecting indigenous peoples spanish colonies effort enforce new laws fleet ships set spain july carrying las religious followers 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 refused confessions indians went far dean president colonial opposition actions reached dangerous levels forced flee real fear lives established nearby indigenous villages old site las based took charge las companions prepared territory fell territory subdivided number regions based divisions promoted james slayer readily identifiable image spanish military superiority soon evident needed real hostilities colonists las spain bishop guatemala placed stone new dominican convent real dedicated destroying indigenous temples idols preached destructive imagery familiar saints associated animals way indians identified spirit forms tied christian concepts world dead hell heaven paradise conquest century spanish frontier expanding reached advancement region fiercely independent inhabitants time spanish contact 16th century inhabited people referred finally time spanish conquest confused modern speaking people occupying region main village situated island lake referred inhabitants aggressive numbers refugees neighbouring indigenous groups fleeing spanish domination ecclesiastical authorities worried threat peaceful efforts eventually supported military intervention spanish expedition carried commanded time time spanish launched military expeditions try northern frontier colony largest expeditions took place repeated expeditions succeeded destroying villages manage subdue inhabitants region bring successful resistance spanish attempts domination served attract indians fleeing colonial rule resistance spanish continued hostile killed number newly baptised christian indians active eventually welcome expelled colonial authorities decided act plan connect province guatemala soldiers commanded president real guatemala conquered number communities important eastern renamed del april attack independent inhabitants neighbouring second group joined having marched group marched guatemala northern accompanied served advisor personal chaplain troops spanish built fort garrisoned spanish soldiers diego based del fellow baptised following months established contacts neighbouring communities remained del early 18th century soon absorbed local maya populations ceased exist separate ethnicity known indians recorded living santa historical sources accompanied reconnaissance wrote account battle inhabitants letter days encounter letter survives entitled years events described wrote included account conquest highlands accompanied described fierce resistance offered natives expedition
Spanish conquest of Chiapas