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They do not exist. They died because they did not fit into a world whose rationality was beyond their comprehension, and because they could not “stop being” indigenous, nomads and barbarians, according to the classification granted to them by their conquerors (Valdés 1995:17). To the Spanish conquerors, northern New Spain represented a difficult problem in terms of domination and control. Spaniards began moving north after the conquest of the Basin of Mexico in 1521, with the aim of exploring and expanding the area of domination. Not until 1541, however, when a fierce attack occurred against the Cazcanes in the Mixtón War, did confrontations intensify, foretelling the war and bloodshed to come. Numerous battles were fought from that time until 1590–1592 to solidify the territory already in Spanish possession and to exert control over the region’s rich resources and resident population. Between 1590 and 1592, a peace agreement was signed by the indigenous and Spanish parties, and the town of San Luis de la Paz was founded in commemoration of the event. From the time of the arrival of the missionaries, whose work was not always successful, to the present, many historical accounts have been written about these Martha Monzón Flores Pacification of the Chichimeca Region 24 393 Martha Monzón Flores 394 incidents. The legal status of los indígenas—the indigenous people—before the introduction of the so-called New Laws by the Spanish Crown is a common topic of discussion at conferences and scientific meetings. Despite continual confrontations between both parties and assaults and robberies in the villages, Spanish wagons and influence continued to follow the trajectory of the “silver route,” with subsequent loss of human life and economy. This situation is illustrated in the Map of the Villas of San Miguel and San Felipe, prepared in 1580 at the request of King Felipe II (Nieto 1995). Its painter masterfully captured the region, its inhabitants, and the social situation, as well as the geography , flora, and fauna, much of which is still recognizable today. He also presented scenes that portray the tensions in the area. Various indigenous people are shown, some individually, others strategically grouped, with their bows and arrows pointed toward the roadways, natural passes, and plains. The map also depicts friars and Spanish assassins, cattle and horses killed by arrows, the shadowy images of Spanish soldiers guarding the road, and an Indian executed by hanging. Spanish actions were dictated by current events, sometimes planned, other times unforeseen, and were not always appropriate. The Spaniards eventually prevailed in spite of this, largely as a result of the military pressure they were able to exert on the Indians. The latter lacked the means to obtain additional assistance, which undermined their resistance. In contrast, Spanish soldiers received continual support from the Crown. In 1561 Don Alonso de Zorita brought before King Felipe II of Spain a document in which he outlined a plan of action that could be implemented to pacify the area of conflict. Don Alonso, who held the title of lawyer (licenciado), had arrived in New Spain in 1556 following a long career as a public official, first with the High Court of Granada and later with the High Courts of Santo Domingo and Guatemala . Upon his arrival he was appointed judge of the High Court of New Spain in Mexico City and became representative to Viceroy Don Luis de Velasco (Ahrndt 2001:18; see also Vigil 1987; Zorita 1963).1 The Crown had previously sent the viceroy its so-called New Laws, which, among other provisions, ordered a reduction in the amount of tribute or taxes, made the encomiendas (grants of Indian land and labor) nonhereditary, and prohibited exploitation of the Indians. These new statutes were at odds with the private interests of New Spain, especially those individuals who amassed their wealth by exploiting the Indians, such as the head encomenderos (grantees) of Martín Courts. This led to a period of transition and instability between the High Court and the viceroy (Ahrndt 2001:19). To create a more even balance among members of the High Court and to generate support for approval of the laws mentioned earlier, the viceroy requested the allocation of additional judges, a petition accepted by the Crown. For this reason, Judge Zorita was sent to New Spain. From the first, he openly supported the decisions of the viceroyalty, and the two men later developed a strong personal friendship (Ahrndt 2001). [3.131.13.194] Project...

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