Mixtón War

Background

First contact with the Spanish came in 1529 when Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán led a force from Mexico City through several states, killing, torturing, and enslaving thousands over six years. Guzmán founded settlements in Nueva Galicia, including Guadalajara, near Caxcan territory. Resistance grew as the Spanish pushed beyond central Mexico and imposed the encomienda system.

Caxcanes

The Caxcanes were the central force of the Mixtón War resistance. They inhabited northern Jalisco, southern Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes.

Although often grouped under the term Chichimeca, they were sedentary agriculturalists living in permanent towns, unlike the nomadic peoples of the northern deserts. They likely spoke a Uto-Aztecan language. The Zacatecos also participated in the revolt.

War

In spring 1540, the Caxcanes and allies struck back, possibly emboldened by Governor Francisco Vásquez de Coronado's departure north with over 1,600 soldiers. The revolt was sparked by the arrest of eighteen leaders and the hanging of nine. Natives killed, roasted, and ate the encomendero Juan de Arze, killed two priests, and fled to the hill fortress of Mixtón. Acting Governor Cristóbal de Oñate led a force but failed to storm Mixtón after a priest and ten soldiers were killed.

He requested reinforcements. Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza called on Pedro de Alvarado, who attacked Mixtón in June 1541 with 400 Spaniards and allies, facing an estimated 15,000 natives under Tenamaztle and Don Diego. Alvarado's attacks were repulsed; he was injured by a horse on June 24 and died on July 4.

Aftermath

Victory allowed the Spanish to control the Guadalajara region and opened access to northern deserts where silver was later found. The Caxcanes were absorbed into Spanish society and lost their distinct identity, later serving as auxiliaries in Spanish expansion. The war preceded the longer Chichimeca War (1550–1590), which forced Spain to shift from subjugation to gradual accommodation. The Caxcanes may survive into the 21st century as the Tastuane people, whose annual fiestas in towns like Moyahua de Estrada and Apozol commemorate the Mixtón War.