Spanish Rule

In 1547, Don Francisco de Coronado first entered the land soon to be known as New Mexico. His expedition traveled all over present day New Mexico and Arizona.

Visit El Morro, a national monument located near Ramah, NM. At El Morro you can view Coronado's elaborate signature as he carved it into the side of the sandstone cliff.

Many explorers followed Coronado searching for the Seven Cities of Gold, or Cibola. Spain sent many expedition searching for these legendary cities of gold, but were unsuccessful.

In 1598, Don Juan de Onate crossed the Rio Grande near present day El Paso and officially claimed the land for Spain. New Mexico is now a Spanish Colony.

Hundreds of Spanish soldiers, men, women, children, and Franciscan monks came to settle in New Mexico. The Franciscan monks had the task of Christianizing the Indians that were already living in the land.

The Spaniards established Santa Fe as the capital of the colony in 1609. Santa Fe is now the oldest capital city in the United States.

For seventy years the Franciscan monks oppressed the Pueblo Indians and forced them to accept Christianity. The Indians tried to keep their own religion, but were punished for it, and the monks destroyed many of their religious artifacts.

Under the leadership of Pope, the Pueblos united and revolted against the Spanish. During the Pueblo Revolt the Pueblo Indians drove the Spaniards out of New Mexico. They experienced solitude for 16 years.

The Spaniards eventually reconquered New Mexico. Roughly two hundred years later, in 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain. New Mexico now becomes a Territory of Mexico.