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The Spanish Era (1521-1898) Ancient Chamorro society had flourished for nearly 4000 years by the time it met with Western civilization. However, on March 6, 1521 the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, sailing under the Spanish Crown in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe, set anchor in Guam's pristine waters to refurbish his three ships. In return for fresh fruits, vegetables and water, it is reported that Magellan offered the islanders iron, a commodity that became very valuable to the local people. As one could imagine, tools and weapons made of iron would be quite a luxury item as well as a sign of status in a society that had been used to materials made of bone, stone, and shell. This chance first encounter placed Guam on the map and, hindsight being 20/20, marked the beginning of drastic changes for its local people. Although Magellan's landing marked the first meeting for Guam and the Spanish Crown, it was not until 1565 that Guam was officially claimed as a territory of Spain. As a result, Guam became an important supply station for Spanish Ships as they crisscrossed the Pacific in their legendary galleons, trading the gold and silver that they had mined in South America with Chinese merchants in the Philippines that traded exotic goods such as silk, porcelain, and spices. In 1668, Jesuit missionaries began to make, what many would consider, the most drastic changes to the face of the island's population. Led by Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores, the Catholic Church assisted by Spanish garrisons managed to over throw the established belief system of the local population and permanently bring them within the realm of Catholicism. This, however, was not a smooth transition as several local chiefs and their followers rebelled against the new belief system. However, other chiefs such as the famous Chief Quipuha of Hagatna embraced the new ways of thinking. It has been documented that Quipuha was the first to donate land to Father San Vitores and a Catholic Church still sits on that land today. Guam's strategic location for the galleon trade as well as the missionary work that was taking place on the island made it a valuable possession for the Spanish theocracy. However, from a local aspect, the view may not have been as bright as many natives died from intermittent warfare with the Spanish as well as succumbing to new European diseases that local immune systems had not grown accustom. Be that as it may, the Spanish presence on the island lasted some 333 years and made an undeniable mark on the local population. The Spanish Era ended in 1898 after Spain was defeated by America in the Spanish-American War.