Photo source: Pedro de Alvarado
In 1523, Spanish Conquistador, Pedro de Alvarado, conducted a brutal military expedition against the independent kingdoms of Guatemala. With 120 horsemen, 300 foot soldiers, and an alliance with the Cakchiquel natives, Alvarado easily defeated the Maya defenses. One after another, he burned the kingdoms to the ground and enslaved the Maya people. (History of Guatemala)
Pedro de Alvarado was an exceeding cruel man. His inhumanity has been recorded in the Lienzo de Quauhquechollan. This document contains numerous instances in which he burned natives alive or threw them to his dogs. For his success, Alvarado was appointed governor of Guatemala in 1527 by Charles I of Spain. He carried the title until his death in 1541. (Pedro de Alvarado)
After the Conquest, the Spaniards built elaborate churches with stones taken from the ruined Mayan temples. (Destination 360) They divided up the land and rewarded themselves with encomiendas. These large, land-holdings included native villages and towns. It was expected that the new landowners would offer religious education to the natives. In actuality, the encomiendas were places of legalized slavery. (Latin American History)
Five hundred years later, the situation is little improved. Human trafficking and child kidnapping are thriving economic activities in Guatemala. Rainforest areas are now under the control of drug gangs. And in December 2010, the Guatemalan government declared a state of siege in the Peten region. Two different perspectives of this recent development can be viewed at (BBC News) and at (Intercontinental Cry)
If you want to know more about the so called Lienzo de Quauhquechollan there's a webpage by the University Francisco Marroquín with all kind of info about it.
ReplyDeletehttp://lienzo.ufm.edu/cms/en/home