Even the horizons of towering architectural wonders, encompassing the remarkable achievements of human civilisation, cannot predict the inexpressible episodes of resilience, courage, and sacrifice exemplified by the indigenous people of the New World against the horrors of imperialism and colonial dispossession. The history of the Pueblo Rebellion, the first American Revolution, is like an orchestral masterpiece, echoing the sounds of transition in human society from the darkest corners of the pages of history books.
The annals of history singularise the Pueblo Rebellion as an unimaginable tapestry of heroism, an untold journey of triumphant acts of resilience and courage by the forgotten warriors of human civilisation – true sons and daughters of the struggle for humanity’s freedom. It is a maelstrom of profound historical significance, heralding an age of liberation for human society.
In 1598, the Spanish colonial monarchy established a colony in what is today known as New Mexico, in the southwestern region of the United States of America. The invasion by colonial settlers led to the declaration of the territory as property of the Spanish monarchy and its inhabitants as its subjects.
The first Pueblo Rebellion against the settlers occurred in the settlement of Acoma, New Mexico, when the indigenous people took up arms against Spanish soldiers who demanded grain from their storage facilities, seeking to confiscate the harvest critical for the community’s survival during winter. They fiercely resisted these attempts, taking up arms to defend themselves.
Armed with sophisticated weaponry, the Spanish soldiers responded harshly, killing dozens of innocent people and inflicting gruesome atrocities on the Pueblo community. All men over the age of twelve were condemned to twenty years of personal servitude, while men beyond the age of twenty-five had one of their feet cut off without mercy.
After the defeat of the Pueblo community in this initial conflict, they were forced into slavery – constructing houses, churches, and infrastructure such as roads and dams, while working on farms and in mines as unpaid labor. Spanish missionaries imposed a ban on all forms of traditional and religious practices, replacing them with the values of Christianity.
The world-renowned geographer and journalist of antiquity, M. Malte-Brun, described the impact of colonialism and Christianity on the native people of the New World: “Tyranny and ignorance have not had the power to destroy the inexhaustible fecundity of the soil but have turned it into a theatre of eternal robbery and a vast market of blood.” Colonial authorities and missionaries became scavengers, spilling rivers of human blood on the soil of the free world.
The world was yet to witness the full magnitude of European colonialism’s plunder: the extermination of millions of indigenous people of the New World, the destruction of architectural and cultural wealth, and the erasure of languages, literature, and arts, as well as the dismantling of entire social, economic, and political ecosystems. These complexities of human history define the path to a better future.
Long periods of severe drought and famine plagued the region, forcing the native people to turn to traditional and cultural practices, including sacred ceremonies and rituals to worship their gods. Settler authorities and missionaries accused them of witchcraft, sentencing them to lengthy imprisonment or, in some cases, death.
After his release from prison, one community leader, Popé, organised a well-orchestrated revolt against the Spanish settlers. Hundreds of soldiers, missionaries, and other Spanish nationals were killed. This marked the first recorded defeat of a European colonial power by the indigenous people of the Americas.
The rebellion forced the withdrawal of colonial settlers from Pueblo territory, allowing the indigenous people to return to their traditional ways, banning Catholicism, and destroying the missionaries’ infrastructure. This victory distinguished the Pueblo Rebellion – popularly known as the first American Revolution – as a testament to true heroism against adversity.
The celebrated German philosopher Karl Marx regarded European colonialism as profound hypocrisy and inherent barbarism. He argued that colonialism and imperialism were unconscious tools of history. In his seminal work Das Kapital, he stated: “The discovery of gold and silver in the Americas, the extirpation, enslavement, and entombment of indigenous populations in mines, the conquest and plunder of India, and the conversion of Africa into a preserve for the commercial hunting of black skins are all defining moments of capitalist production.” He further concluded that “if money comes into the world with a congenital bloodstain on one cheek, capital comes dripping from head to toe, from every pore, with blood and dirt.”
Centuries of genocidal crimes committed against the native people of the New World, based on false narratives of race, modernity, and civilisation, inflicted devastating psychological trauma that transcended generations. It is evident that European settlers sought not coexistence or diplomacy with local communities but total extermination and confiscation of their land and wealth.There are countless examples of genocidal crimes committed by European colonial powers throughout history. As we dream of a better world for humanity, we must take stock of these lessons and experiences. Understanding history enables us to appreciate the complexities of the present social, economic, and political milieu.
Although much scholarly and academic focus has been placed on the encounters between the indigenous people of the New World and European settlers, future generations still have opportunities to learn about pre-colonial life and to gain insights into indigenous social, political, and economic systems. It is crucial to challenge the dominant narrative that civilisation began with the arrival of European powers in the New World.
The Pueblo indigenous people’s victory is a monumental milestone in the history of anti-colonial struggles, symbolising hope for oppressed people worldwide.
Their contributions to humanity’s freedom mark them as timeless heroes, shaping both the past and future.
Our Africa is our America, our America is our Middle East, our Middle East is our Europe, and our Europe is our Far East. We are a world of wonders, defined by resilience and heroism, transcending time and history. The universe remains a beacon of hope, and climbing to its mountaintop of peace and tranquility is what will define us as philanthropists of freedom.
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Ambassador Phatse Justice Piitso is a member of the ANC writing this article in his personal capacity.