Calchaquí Wars facts for kids
The Calchaquí Wars (Spanish: Guerras calchaquíes) were a series of big fights. They happened between the Diaguita people and the Spanish Empire. These wars took place from about 1560 to 1667. They were fought in what is now northwestern Argentina. This area includes places like Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca, and La Rioja.
The First Calchaquí War: A Fight for Freedom
The First Calchaquí War began around 1559. It started when the Spanish governor, Juan Pérez de Zurita, founded a city called Córdoba de Calchaquí. He expected the local tribes to accept a system called encomienda. This system forced native people to work for the Spanish. But the tribes did not want to be forced into this labor.
A Leader Rises: Juan Calchaquí
A Spanish captain named Julián Cedeño captured a local leader called Chumbicha. Governor Zurita used Chumbicha to talk with his brother. This brother was the leader, or curaca, of the town of Tolombón. As part of the talks, this curaca agreed to be baptized. He then became known by the Christian name Juan Calchaquí.
However, Juan Calchaquí soon understood that the encomienda system was unfair. It meant his people would be treated like servants. So, he decided to fight back. He led attacks against the Spanish. His forces drove the Spanish out of three cities that Zurita had founded. These cities were Córdoba de Calchaquí, Londres, and Cañete.
Spanish Setback and Retreat
Other native groups, like the Omaguacas, also joined the fight. They destroyed Ciudad de Nieva, which is now San Salvador de Jujuy. Because of these strong attacks, all the Spanish people in the Tucumán area had to gather in one place. They went to Santiago del Estero for safety. This was a very big loss for the Spanish conquerors. Some historians even called it "one of the worst tragedies of our history" for Spain.
