In my view, the defeat of the Spanish in the 1680 Puebloan Revolt exemplified the justified downfall of a power-mongering, imperialist nation. It is arguable that the Spaniard’s defeat was caused by the disagreement between church and state regarding the jurisdictions of ecclesiastical and secular power in New Mexico. Moreover, the competition between the descending power of the church and ascending power of the state caused a divide in the Spanish front, which sought to remain supreme over the Peubloan and Apache tribes. Consequentially, the Spanish were unable to defeat the unified Apache-Puebloan attack.
Furthermore, the vignette on the reigns of Fray Isidro Ordonez and Governor Luis de Rosas on pages 110-113 illuminated the tension between church and state, which inadvertently exposed the weaknesses of the Friars, Franciscans, and governors. This is highlighted by Ordenez’s humiliation and expulsion of Governor Peralta from Santa Fe, which unveiled the church’s ruthless desire to obtain both secular and ecclesiastical power. The Franciscans, who assumed to possess ecclesiastical authority, aided the church, diminishing any conflicting secular power so as to maintain their authority.
Depicting the extreme secular response to the Church’s domination, Governor Rosas used both military force and the monopolization of indigenous laborers to deprive the friars and colonists of Indian tribute and services. Rosas’s enslavement of Apache Indians allowed him to enforce his superiority not only over the Indians, but over the Franciscans and colonists as well, causing their influence in politics to deteriorate by their financial security.
However, both the church and state failed to recognize their reliance on each other to successfully suppress the natives for the greater good of governing the Kingdom of New Mexico. Without military support, the Friars could not effectively convert Peubloans to Christianity. Conversely, the government could not restrain Indian uprisings without the church’s manipulation. While fighting for power, the fear and intimidation the Spaniards implemented on the Indians wore away. Ultimately, the Puebloan and Apache’s hatred of the Spanish became a uniting force that brought about an alliance, prompting them to fight and take back their indigenous land and culture.
Lily Lewis
Furthermore, the vignette on the reigns of Fray Isidro Ordonez and Governor Luis de Rosas on pages 110-113 illuminated the tension between church and state, which inadvertently exposed the weaknesses of the Friars, Franciscans, and governors. This is highlighted by Ordenez’s humiliation and expulsion of Governor Peralta from Santa Fe, which unveiled the church’s ruthless desire to obtain both secular and ecclesiastical power. The Franciscans, who assumed to possess ecclesiastical authority, aided the church, diminishing any conflicting secular power so as to maintain their authority.
Depicting the extreme secular response to the Church’s domination, Governor Rosas used both military force and the monopolization of indigenous laborers to deprive the friars and colonists of Indian tribute and services. Rosas’s enslavement of Apache Indians allowed him to enforce his superiority not only over the Indians, but over the Franciscans and colonists as well, causing their influence in politics to deteriorate by their financial security.
However, both the church and state failed to recognize their reliance on each other to successfully suppress the natives for the greater good of governing the Kingdom of New Mexico. Without military support, the Friars could not effectively convert Peubloans to Christianity. Conversely, the government could not restrain Indian uprisings without the church’s manipulation. While fighting for power, the fear and intimidation the Spaniards implemented on the Indians wore away. Ultimately, the Puebloan and Apache’s hatred of the Spanish became a uniting force that brought about an alliance, prompting them to fight and take back their indigenous land and culture.
Lily Lewis