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When the Spanish explorers came to the southwest of North America they managed to bring disease and Catholicism. They would introduce new diseases to groups of isolated peoples even before the first permanent settlement was built by the Spanish. Even if one member of the Spanish conquistadors had the diseases entire populations would face death.(Knaut 154) These diseases included but were not limited to smallpox, influenza, and measles.(Knaut 154) Diseases would dramatically kill off much of the population creating much more Spanish intimidation upon the Indians of the southwest. For example, when Cabeza crossed by in the 1530's he would decease the population among the Pueblos in half over a fifty year period when the Chamuscado-Rodriguez expedition counted only 61 pueblos.(Knaut 154) The diseases introduced into the Indian communities would force the natives to become more dependent upon the Spanish; albeit, the Spanish would exploit this fear through religion and tribute. .
Forcing religion on the Pueblos was a had fought task but in general it was very successful in ridding the southwest of its character. Indians were forced into religion one of two ways. First, the natives during the harsh times would not lessen the tribute of food and goods. This forced the Native Americans to accept Catholicism in exchange for food and goods, especially maize. This power over the Pueblos was yet another way intimidation was controlling the lifes' of many. The second and more brutal way, was by force. The Pueblos of Acoma from the beginning were forced to become Catholics at young ages, but if it was done in the ways as done in Acoma then playback would be much more harsh. Fray Arvide would attempt this upon a medicine man's child. Because of his actions, he would be beaten and dragged around the city.(Knaut 75) These actions of intimidation by the Catholic Church would create hostile vibes between the two.