Franciscan missions to the Maya facts for kids

The Franciscan Missions to the Maya were efforts by Franciscan friars to teach the Christian faith to the indigenous peoples of the Maya. These missions started soon after Christopher Columbus arrived in the "New World" in 1492. This event opened the way for Catholic missions to begin.

Records show Franciscan activity in the Americas as early as 1519. Throughout the early 1500s, the mission movement grew. It spread from the Caribbean to include Mexico, Central America, parts of South America, and the Southwestern United States. The main goal of these missions was to share the Christian faith with people in the New World. They aimed to do this through "word and example." However, these attempts sometimes led to rebellion from the Maya people.

Why Did the Missions Happen?

Spreading Christianity was a top goal for the Spanish. But it was also part of a bigger plan for Spanish colonization. The Franciscans, who were missionaries, helped achieve other goals. These included spreading the Spanish language, culture, and political control to the New World.

A main aim was to change the Maya people. The Spanish wanted them to become more like Spanish citizens. This meant encouraging them to live in towns, rather than their traditional farming or nomadic ways. The missions tried to do this by "offering gifts and persuasion." They also offered "safety from enemies." This protection also helped the Spanish military. If the native people were peaceful, there would be less fighting. This helped the Spanish system work better.

How Franciscans Worked in Yucatan

The Franciscans had a special role in the Yucatán. They were the only religious group allowed there. This meant no other groups, like the Jesuits or Dominicans, were competing with them. So, the Franciscans could use any method they thought was best to spread their beliefs. At first, they tried to follow a "conversion program" that had worked in Mexico.

Teaching Through Example

The first way the Franciscans taught the "new faith" to the Maya was very simple. They believed "word and example" would be enough. For instance, Fray Martín de Valencia, one of the Twelve Apostles of Mexico, showed this. When he arrived, he knelt before a group of native people. He then spoke openly about his own sins and whipped himself in front of everyone. This was meant to show humility and avoid using direct power.

Educating Young People

Another way to convert people was by educating Mayan youth. As part of their program, "sons of the nobles were taken into monastery schools." There, they learned until they were strong in the Christian faith. Then, they returned to their villages. They became Christian schoolmasters, leading their communities in simple worship. Fray Diego de Landa wrote that this program was very successful and "admirable."

Changes in Teaching Methods

The early success of peaceful teaching did not last long. After a few years, it became clear that simply talking was not enough. Many Mayans did not fully accept the Christian lessons. By 1539, leaders of the three religious orders in Mexico met. They decided that missionaries could give "light punishment" to the Mayans.

However, these mild punishments soon became very harsh. Some Catholic officials spoke out against this cruelty. For example, Vasco de Quiroga, a bishop, said that the friars were treating the Indians badly. He noted they would "insult and strike them, tear out their hair, have them stripped and cruelly flogged, and then throw them into prison in chains."

Maya Rebellions Against the Missions

Because of the very harsh treatment, the Maya people in the provinces of Cochua and Chetumal, Quintana Roo rebelled. The Spanish put down this rebellion with more violence.

The Valladolid Uprising

Another rebellion happened in Valladolid in 1546. During this uprising, many Spaniards were killed. Also, native converts who were loyal to the Spanish were killed. Spanish livestock was destroyed, and Spanish trees were pulled up. Many believed that the Franciscans' presence and actions caused this riot. In one day, seventeen Spaniards were killed, and about four hundred servants were killed or wounded.

Killing of Friars

The Maya and other native groups also rebelled by killing the missionaries themselves. Often, two or three friars were killed at a time. Sometimes, many more were killed. These men, called martyrs, were killed throughout Mexico over many years of missionary work.

Long-Term Impact

Like most other native groups who met the Spanish conquest in the 1500s, the Spanish were successful in their overall goals. A religious power from a small country in Europe managed to control a huge area of land for several centuries. This was a major achievement in history.

Images for kids

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  The chapel of Mission San Pedro y San Pablo del Tubutama

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  Statues of Juan Diego and Juan de Zumárraga