Oruro Revolt (1736–1737)

Oruro Revolt (1736–1737)

PRINCIPAL COMBATANTS: Spain vs. the Oruro Indians

PRINCIPAL THEATER(S): Central Peru

DECLARATION: None

MAJOR ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES: Rebellion against
intolerable working and living conditions in the mines of
central Peru

OUTCOME: The rebels sacked the city of Oruro, but the
rebellion was extinguished by Spanish colonial troops.

APPROXIMATE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF MEN UNDER ARMS:
Unknown

CASUALTIES: Unknown

TREATIES: None

The Oruro Indians of Peru were treated essentially as
slaves by the mine owners in the central portion of that
colony. The horrific conditions drove the Oruros to desperation,
and they rallied behind Juan Santos, who led
them in revolt. In 1737, they overran the city of Oruro
before colonial troops put down the rebellion.

Further reading: J.R. Fisher, Silver Mines and Silver
Miners in Colonial Peru, 1776–1824 (Liverpool: Centre for
Latin-American Studies, University of Liverpool, 1977).