When the Spaniards came and subjugated the Rajahante of Butuan which was already weak due to tensions with the Sultanate of Ternate, the boat-making and goldsmithing traditions were eradicated and the relations between the coastal Butuan and the lumads of the interior became less known. The lumads of the interior were also converted to Christianity, which diminished some of their traditions on nature worship. The Spanish attacked the Sultanate of Ternate to negate any future attacks in Caraga, in which they succeeded at due to their much greater gun power. With the Spaniards having full control of Caraga, they started establishing Spanish-modeled centers to maximize their coverage and control over the territory, where they succeeded. The Spaniards would rule the country until the United States defeated them in the Spanish-American war which would lead into the handling of the entire archipelago into American possession.