Conquest, Natives, and Forest: How Did the Mapuches Succeed in Halting the Spanish Invasion of Their Land (1540–1553, Chile)?

The paper offers new explanations on the causes of the Mapuches’ success in resisting the invasion of their land in the time of Pedro de Valdivia. It is has been accepted the Spaniards were unable to subdue the Mapuches on account of their low level of social organization. Because of such a widespread view, other factors have been neglected. The Spaniards undertook the conquest while knowing almost nothing about the natives and their country. Far from being inexperienced in warfare, the Mapuches were well organized in wartime. Their success was heavily based on their prowess in using the forest environment to fight against the Spaniards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]