Enter Pedro De Alvarado: A Spanish Colony In 1523, Guatemala

Conquered as a Spanish colony in 1523, Guatemala has been continuously subjected to great adversity. In discussing the colonial experience of this Latin-American nation, it must be known what kind of state it was in at the time it was overcome. From what scientists and historians have gathered, the ancient Maya were the first to settle on the land. They were well developed, advanced, and exceptionally skilled. However, in 1524, their control would be challenged and the course of the land forever changed. Enter Pedro de Alvarado, a Spanish conquistador with a proficient past. Arriving in Guatemala with 120 horsemen, 300 soldiers, and several hundred Mexican auxiliaries, Alvarado began to explore. His expedition met great resistance with a large
If Alvarado was to not get the gold, he threatened leaders by saying he would hang them and burn them. Countless ended up being killed, but those whose lives were spared fled the area. Still, Alvarado continued to brutally attack the Mayan people. According to Friar Bartolomé de las Casas, Alvarado “committed enormities sufficient to fill a particular volume, so many were the slaughters, violence’s, injuries, butcheries and beastly desolations.” Friar Bartolomé de las Casas was so disgusted at the brutal massacres that took place that he actually decided to dedicate the rest of his life to protecting these communities. The vast majority has all been taught that there are two sides to every story- and the fact that this Friar took the side of the indigenous people should not go unnoticed. His story documents the injustices and atrocities that happened, some right in front of his own eyes, during the colonial period. Stories like Bartolomé de las Casas’ should not be taken lightly, as these massacres went on for quite some time, both in and out of Guatemala. The indigenous population that survived the violence was subject to working for the Spaniards who had conquered the