Early History
Although architectural evidence suggests that Sonora had permanent settlements as far back as 1500 B.C., the largest known indigenous groups were the Yaquis and the Mayos, who flourished around 1300 A.D. and established agriculture communities. Both groups were territorial and aggressively defended their communities against nomadic tribes that wandered throughout the region. The Yaquis inhabited the eastern part of Sonora near Mar de Cortés, and the Mayos lived primarily in the southern part of the state and established an important cultural center in what is now the city of Guaymas.
Middle History
In 1531, Spanish conquistador Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán founded the city of San Miguel de Culiacán in the region that would eventually become Sinaloa and Sonora. Using the city as a central base, the Spanish launched excursions throughout the area to locate mineral deposits and establish new colonies.
Conquistador Diego Guzmán entered what is now Sonora in 1533. Encountering resistance from combined Yaqui and Mayo forces, he quickly abandoned the region. In 1536, Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and three companions passed through the region on foot in search of new wealth for Spain.
In 1599, Captain Diego de Hurdaide established San Felipe y Santiago on the site of the modern city of Sinaloa and launched a military campaign that subjugated many indigenous tribes, including the Sinaloas, Tehuecos, Zuaques and Ahomes. Jesuit priests who arrived during the next century converted much of the indigenous population to Roman Catholicism and the Spanish culture. However, clashes between the Spanish and the Yaquí and other tribes continued throughout the 17th century.
Recent History
During the early 1800s, Sonora enthusiastically supported Mexico’s independence movement, although many landowners were more concerned about protecting their land from local Indians. The territory that was to become Sonora and Sinaloa was incorporated into independent Mexico as a single constituent state, Sonora y Sinaloa, under the Constitution of 1824. In September 1830, that state was divided and became modern Sonora and Sinaloa.
Mexican politics became chaotic during the latter part of the 19th century, and Sonora was for a time caught in the middle. Political instability and U.S. expansionist policies led to war between the two countries in 1846; Sonora was occupied by foreign troops in 1847. The Treaty of Hidalgo brought an end to the Mexican-American war in 1848, and Sonora was again a free state.
During the closing years of the 19th century, the Yaqui and Mayo Indians in Sonora began to protest mistreatment and marginalization by the government, demanding autonomy and equal rights. Irritated by their demands, President Porfirio Díaz initiated a war against the groups, killing thousands and deporting many others. The few Yaquis that remained in the region were protected by ranch owners.
When the Mexican Revolution began in November 1910, many Sonorans--including the remaining Yaquis and Mayos--rose up against and helped overthrow the dictatorial Díaz. With his defeat, many displaced Indians returned to Sonora.
