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  1. AD 1493–1550s
    Native peoples begin dying from European diseases
    Diseases unknown to them spread rapidly among Native peoples, who lack immunity to viruses and bacteria ...
  2. AD 1493
    The Pope asserts rights to colonize, convert, and enslave
    Pope Alexander VI issues a papal bull or decree, “Inter Caetera," in which he authorizes Spain and Portugal ...
  3. AD 1501
    Portuguese explorer kidnaps northeastern Native peoples
    Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte-Real abducts two shiploads of Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and other peoples ...
  4. AD 1513
    El Requierimento: Spain demands subservience
    The “Laws of Burgos” are the first legal code regarding Spanish actions in the Americas. They direct ...
  5. AD 1520–62
    ‘Virgin-soil’ epidemics devastate Native populations
    “Virgin-soil” epidemics sweep through populations with no prior exposure to a particular infectious ...
  6. AD 1531–33
    Mesoamericans succumb to deadly measles epidemic
    Maya, Toltec, Quechua, and many other peoples in Mesoamerica die in great numbers from measles wherever ...
  7. AD 1537
    Pope Paul III opposes enslaving Native peoples
    Pope Paul III issues a decree, “Sublimus Deus,” opposing the enslavement of indigenous peoples and calling ...
  8. AD 1540
    The Zuni resist a conquistador but retreat from Spanish guns
    The Spanish conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado seeks the “Seven Cities of Gold.” At Hawikuh, ...
  9. AD 1590
    Spain attacks pueblos; establishes colony at Ohkay Owingeh
    Spanish forces under colonial governor Juan de Oñate march north from Mexico through the Rio Grande ...
  10. AD 1598
    Spain enslaves Acoma women; mutilates Acoma men
    Spain punishes the the Pueblo of Acoma for resisting Spanish demands for food. Colonial governor Juan ...
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