Araucanian War

Timeline

1. 1601–1605Bío Bío defensive line · Bío Bío RegionAfter the Mapuche uprising of 1598 destroyed Spain's 'Seven Cities,' colonial forces withdrew to the north bank of the Bío Bío. In the early 1600s Spain built a chain of forts including Concepción, seeking to consolidate the new frontier and block Mapuche advances northward.
2. 1605–1610Araucanía frontier · AraucaníaMapuche chiefs such as Petenko repeatedly raided forts and trade routes with their followers; in 1609 the colonial authorities were forced to negotiate with the Mapuche, recognizing their de facto control of lands south of the river. The war settled into a long stalemate, and Spain never effectively conquered Araucanía.