Gonzalo de Salazar facts for kids

Gonzalo de Salazar was an important leader in New Spain, a Spanish colony in what is now Mexico. He was born in Granada, Castile (part of modern-day Spain) and died around 1564 in New Spain. He helped govern the area when Hernán Cortés, the famous conqueror, was away in Honduras between 1525 and 1526.

Early Life and Career

Gonzalo de Salazar was born into a family that had recently converted to Christianity. He was one of the first children baptized in Granada after it was taken back from the Moors. Because of this, he received special titles and privileges.

As a young boy, he became a royal page, working for the King and Queen of Spain in Granada. He later fought in a war against rebels who opposed Emperor Charles V. For his loyalty, Emperor Charles V rewarded him. Gonzalo was appointed as the factor (which means tax collector) and Captain General of New Spain. He started this important role on December 29, 1524.

Before New Spain had a Viceroy (a high-ranking official who ruled on behalf of the King), Gonzalo worked with other leaders. These included Pedro Almíndez Chirino and Alonso de Estrada. Gonzalo and Estrada often had disagreements.

Gonzalo's father, Doctor Guadalupe de Salazar, was a royal doctor to the King and Queen. He was also an administrator in Granada.

In 1524, Gonzalo, his wife Catalina, and her brother Antonio de La Cadena Maluenda (who was the treasurer of New Spain) left Spain. They arrived in Mexico City in 1525. Gonzalo became a powerful person in the new colony. He was an encomendero, meaning he was given control over lands and the native people living on them in places like Tajimaroa.

Gonzalo's daughter, Catalina de Salazar de la Cadena, married into important families. Her son, Juan de Oñate, later founded a settlement called San Juan de Los Caballeros in what is now New Mexico in 1598. Gonzalo's son, Juan Velázquez de Salazar, inherited his father's properties.

The title "Captain General" was used for leaders in the New World before the Spanish kings started appointing "Viceroys."

Governing New Spain

In 1524, Governor and Captain General Cortés left Mexico City to go to Honduras. He put the government in the hands of three officials: Alonso de Estrada (the royal treasurer), Rodrigo de Albornoz, and Licenciado Alonso de Zuazo. Estrada was in charge of this group. This change happened on October 12, 1524.

When Cortés left Mexico City, Gonzalo de Salazar and Pedro Almíndez Chirino went with him for part of the journey. During this time, Salazar and Almíndez convinced Cortés that they should also be part of the government. Cortés then sent them back to Mexico City with two special orders.

The first order said that Salazar and Almíndez should join the existing government, making it a group of five leaders. This was if they could all get along. The second order said that Salazar and Almíndez should replace Estrada and Albornoz entirely.

Salazar and Almíndez Take Control

When Salazar and Almíndez returned to the capital, they only showed the second order. This meant they took control of the government on December 29, 1524. However, they made a mistake by telling some friends about the trick.

This caused a big problem. On February 17, 1525, Estrada and Albornoz were brought back into the government. Now, all five men Cortés had named were part of the ruling council. In order of importance, they were Salazar (tax collector), Almíndez (inspector), Estrada (treasurer), Albornoz (accountant), and Zuazo (chief justice).

Zuazo, who was a fair and educated man, helped create this larger council. He based it on the first order from Cortés. But the two groups of leaders still did not get along. Estrada and Albornoz were not happy with the arrangement.

On April 20, 1525, Salazar and Almíndez announced that no officials should listen to Estrada and Albornoz. If they did, they would be punished. Estrada and Albornoz then left Mexico City to find Cortés and tell him what was happening.

Unfair Rule

The governing council continued with three members, including Zuazo. But in the middle of the night on April 20, 1525, Zuazo was arrested at his home. He was sent away from New Spain. He ended up in Santo Domingo, where he lived until he died in 1527.

Zuazo's arrest meant that Salazar and Almíndez had no one to stop them. They started to rule unfairly. They even spread a false rumor that Cortés had been killed by native people. On August 19, 1525, they tried to take Cortés's property. They arrested Rodrigo de Paz, who was in charge of Cortés's belongings. Paz was forced to reveal where Cortés's hidden treasures were. After giving some locations, he was killed.

Salazar also sent people out to demand treasures from others. When people seeking safety in a church were forced to leave, a priest named Father Valencia protested. He declared that no religious services could be held in Mexico City until the prisoners were returned.

Overthrow and Return

In January 1526, a messenger arrived in Mexico City, announcing that Cortés was returning. Cortés sent an order to replace Salazar and Almíndez with new leaders: Francisco de las Casas and Pedro de Alvarado. If these two were not available, Estrada and Albornoz would take their place.

Salazar and Almíndez tried to find safety in a church. But Cortés's supporters gathered. On January 28, 1526, two hundred Spaniards rushed the church. Salazar and other noblemen faced the group and gave up. Cortés's supporters had managed to get the city government to follow Cortés's orders.

The group that opposed Salazar marched through the streets, shouting "Long live Cortés!" Salazar was arrested and put in a public cage in the main square that same day. Almíndez was also arrested. Since De Las Casas and Alvarado were not there, Estrada and Albornoz governed from January 29, 1526, until June 24 of that year. Cortés briefly returned to his post on June 25.

Salazar was freed after a few months. He was sent back to Spain and told he could not return to New Spain.

Later Life

Salazar and Almíndez avoided harsh punishments because they had important connections to the royal family. Salazar was not executed because of his high status.

Despite the political problems, Salazar returned to the Spanish court. He was reappointed to his position and came back to New Spain in 1540. He continued his work as factor (tax collector) without any further issues.

People secretly called him "el gordo" (the fat one) behind his back. He was very polite and formal. He left politics after this and lived comfortably until his death, probably in 1564.

See also

In Spanish: Gonzalo de Salazar para niños

• List of Viceroys of New Spain