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The Spanish in Guam (1596-1695)
For
close to three centuries following de
Quirós’ visit, the Spanish ignored most of the Micronesian islands, including Pohnpei. The number of foreign ships nearing the island declined considerably. The main Spanish focus was west on the island of
Guam. A Jesuit priest, Diego Luis de Sanvitores, established the first Catholic mission station on Guam in 1668. Almost
immediately there was trouble. The Chamorros, the indigenous people of Guam, launched a strong movement of
 resistance
against the mission. In 1672, Sanvitores was murdered by Matapang
and Hirao in Tumon. The Chamorros continued to rally against the Spanish for another twenty
years until they were finally overcome. It would not be
the last Micronesian uprising against colonial powers. |
