The Pueblo Revolt
By Megan Dust and Shannon McCarthy
What Happened?
When the Spainish took control of the American Southwest, the Pueblo people were under their rule for 8 decades. Durring this time, they were forced into slavery and forced to convert to Catholic chriistianity. However, the indians under their leader Popé, found a way to connect each other across the great plains and revolt together to drive out the Spainish. They revolted by burning churches, kidnapping priests, used dispatched runners carrying ropes for communication and more whiich helped keep their rule for 12 years. Eventually, the Spainish reganied control, but they werent interested in forcing their belief on the indians, they were only concerned with keeping control of the silver mines.
What is it Symbolic of?
The Pueblo Revolt was a symbol of strength in the Native American community. The revolt was a way of showing that the Native coulds band together to take down an opposing force and that they would not be pushed around and enslaved by foreigners. "He solved it by dispatching runners carrying knotted ropes" The revolt was also a symbol of hope that other tribes, united or alone could take on the Europeans if they felt they could and drive away the people that wanted to do them harm. This foreshadows future conflict between the Natives and the Europeans and the possible future power issues.
What Did It Achieve?
What it achieved was that it allowed the pueblo people to keep their cultural values of their ancestors. Since the Spainish werent interested in missionary after they regained power, the pueblos were able to have their way of life despite being take over.
Was It America's First Revolt?
Yes it was Amerca's first revolt. Previous to this, the Native Americans had been isolated from a lot of the world and only worried about conflicts between tribes, but no tribes had tried to conquer another like the Spanish conquered the Natives. "They destroyed Catholic images, tore down mission churches, and defiled the vessels of the Catholic Mass."