1) In the early 1500s, Spain began exploring the Mariana Islands due to their strategic location for trade between Asia and Europe. This led to several encounters between the Spanish and the indigenous Chamorro people. 2) In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan landed on Guam due to low food and water supplies. A confrontation ensued when Chamorros boarded his ship and took items, leading the outnumbered Spanish to open fire and kill several Chamorros. 3) In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in Guam and formally claimed the island for Spain, establishing Spanish rule and bringing Augustinian priests to spread Catholicism among the native Chamorros.

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Thomas Camacho
Patty Mendoza and Group Members
HI255 NMI History (1500 Timeline)
October 6, 2014
Highlights on NMI History in the 1500s
Life with the new religion and Spanish occupation in Guam went smoothly. The Chamorros
were beginning to adapt to the new life-styles. Things changed after the meeting with Legazpi,
the priest, and his soldiers with some members of the Chamorro community. While at the
meeting, one of the Chamorros grabbed one of the arquebus from the shoulder of the Spanish
soldier. As a result, the soldiers retaliated and several Chamorros were shot and killed escalating
more violence between the Spanish and the Chamorros. (Russell, 1998. p 271)
Five main events took place in the Marianas from 1500 to 1571. In the early part of the 1500s
travel on sea became active by countries all over the world. Spain and Portugal were one of them
and their mission was trading in the Spice Islands, Philippines, China, and Southeast Asian
countries. This lead the exploration of the Marianas Islands by Spain. The islands became
essential element in the trading business, because of its location in the route of trading
movements. People travelling at sea end up with the shortages of food and water supply making
the Marianas an important part in the resupply for food and water.
“In March 6, 1521 Ferdinand Magellan was forced to land on Guam on the western shore.
This was the result of shortage of food and water supply on his ships. Upon arrival he was met
with hundreds of canoes surrounding his ship. The Chamorros quickly came on board and took

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things which they found that is of interest to them. The Spanish who were outnumbered got
scared and took control of their weapons and opened fire on the Chamorros causing serious
casualties. The none-injured Chamorros quickly left the ship and for an exotic trophy took the
Trinidad’s skiff.” (Russell, 1998. P263)
“Following a nights maneuver off the shore of Guam, Magellan’s three ships approached the
western shore of the island. The next day a landing party went ashore in retaliation for the
missing skiff and theft, sacked a coastal village during which seven Chamorros were killed. With
the village now deserted needed supplies of food and water taken and the skiff recovered. After a
night of feasting the Spanish raised anchors and set sail on March 9.” (Russell,1998, p264)
During this event, a local woman was seen pulling her hair. It was not clear why she was
doing it, was it because the Chamorros were slain to death or was it because of the Chamorro
men acquiring goods from Magellan’s ships. Some Europeans said she was pulling her hair,
because the men were acquiring goods from the ship. (Russell, S.1998). p264)
Magellan’s incident in Guam captured the attention of the Spanish authorities in Spain. The
attention leads to more involvement of Spanish troops and missionaries causing excessive
bloodshed on the Chamorro society.
“By January 1522, an incident took place in the Northern Islands of Assonsong, Agrigan, and
Maug. Trinidad under the command of Gonzalo Gomez de Espinosa spotted Assonsong. Here,
they seized an unsuspecting Chamorro whom they plan to bring back to Spain. Espinosa
attempted to stop at Agrigan, but changed his mind after learning from the captive that there
were three small islands called Maug possessed a good anchorage for his ship. Here, the Spanish
found twenty islanders. While taking on fresh water and sugar cane, three men deserted fearing

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they would die on the long voyage at sea. They were joined by the Chamorro who also fled while
the ship lay at anchor”. ( Russell, 1998. P267)
In 1564 Miguel Lopez de Legazpi departed Spain with his 400 ton San Pablo for an
uneventful voyage to the Mariana Islands. On January 22, 1565 he anchored on Guam and called
the island “Guam” from the instruction of the Royal Majesty of King Philip. The Augustinian
Priest came along with Legazpi with several other priest and started spreading their religion
among the islanders. (Russell, 1998. P271)
Bibliography
Russell, S. (1998) Tiempon, I Manmofo’na, Division of Historic Preservation: