Arauco War

The Arauco War was a long-running conflict between colonial Spaniards and the Mapuche people, mostly fought in the Araucanía region of Chile. The conflict began at first as a reaction to the Spanish conquerors attempting to establish cities and force Mapuches into servitude. It subsequently evolved over time into phases comprising drawn-out sieges, slave-hunting expeditions, pillaging raids, punitive expeditions, and renewed Spanish attempts to secure lost territories. Abduction of women and war rape was common on both sides.

Arauco War

Map of the Araucanía from the 18th century, showing a large part of the territory in which the Arauco War was fought.
DateHistoriographic divergence:
  • 1546 – until the end of the 17th century; and sporadically the 18th century
  • 1550–1662 (112 years)
  • 1550–1656 (106 years)
Location
Araucanía region and surrounding regions of the Captaincy General of Chile (present-day Chile)
Result
  • Spanish invasion of Araucanía permanently reversed around 1600.
  • Gradual Spanish reestablishment of rule south of Araucanía from 1645 to 1796.
  • Failure of the Spanish evangelization strategy in Araucanía.
  • Stabilization of frontiers, development of Mapuche–Spanish diplomacy and trade since the mid-17th century.
Belligerents

Spanish Empire

Mapuche allies		 Mapuches, Pehuenches, Huilliches, Cuncos and other groups
Commanders and leaders
Pedro de Valdivia 
Francisco de Villagra
García Hurtado de Mendoza
Rodrigo de Quiroga
Alonso de Sotomayor
Martín García Óñez de Loyola †
Alonso García de Ramón
Alonso de Ribera
Francisco Laso de la Vega
Pedro Porter Casanate
Gabriel Cano de Aponte
and others		 Ainavillo
Lautaro †
Caupolicán 
Colocolo
Galvarino
Millalelmo
Loble
Pelantaru
Anganamón
Lientur
Butapichón
Alejo
Vilumilla
Curiñancu
and others
Strength

Spanish forces:

  • Conquerors companies (1546–1557)
  • Local detachments and recruits from other regions (1557–1604)
  • Army of Arauco (1604 onward)

Indian auxiliaries:

 Mapuches, Pehuenches, Huilliches, Cuncos and other warriors
Spanish and mestizo renegades

After many initial Spanish successes in penetrating Mapuche territory, the Battle of Curalaba in 1598 and the following destruction of the Seven Cities marked a turning point in the war leading to the establishment of a clear frontier between the Spanish domains and the land of the independent Mapuche. From the 17th to the late 18th century a series of parliaments were held between royal governors and Mapuche lonkos and the war devolved to sporadic pillaging carried out by both sides.

In the words of Philip II, this conflict cost the largest number of Spanish lives in the New World, which is why it became known as the Flandes indiano ("Indian Flanders"), in reference to the Eighty Years' War.

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