In the latter half of the 18th century, tensions escalated significantly between the Spanish colonizers and the indigenous Mapuche people of Chile. The Spanish conquest and subsequent territorial expansions had led to increasing oppression of the Mapuche communities, including the appropriation of their lands and resources. By 1766, the Mapuches, feeling the weight of colonial exploitation, decided to take a stand, launching a series of surprise attacks on Spanish settlements throughout the region. These assaults were strategically planned and aimed at key locations where Spanish influence was strongest.

The initial wave of assaults showcased the Mapuche's guerrilla warfare tactics, which included fast, unexpected strikes and a deep knowledge of the terrain that allowed them to outmaneuver Spanish forces. The attacks galvanized various Mapuche factions, uniting them against a common enemy. The uprising aimed not only to push back Spanish advances but also to foster a sense of identity and autonomy among the different indigenous peoples in central Chile. The attacks were met with fierce retaliation by the Spanish, who sought to reassert their dominance in the region.

As the conflict escalated, the Mapuche's resistance became emblematic of indigenous resistance against European colonization. Over the coming months and years, this uprising would lead directly to further military conflicts and negotiations, shaping the political landscape of Chile and reinforcing Mapuche determination to maintain their cultural identity and sovereignty.