The Pueblo Revolt, a pivotal event in early American history, refers to the 1680 uprising of Pueblo Indians against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico. Driven by religious persecution, forced labor, and overall mistreatment, the unified Pueblo tribes, led by Pop, successfully expelled the Spanish for over a decade. This rebellion stands as one of the most successful and sustained Indigenous resistances to European colonization in North America.
This event is significant because it highlights the complexities of early colonial encounters and demonstrates the capacity of Indigenous peoples to resist oppression. It challenged the narrative of unchallenged European dominance and forced the Spanish to reassess their colonial policies. The temporary expulsion of the Spanish allowed the Pueblo people to revive traditional practices and govern themselves according to their own customs.
