Yucatán's Maya Peasantry and the Origins of the Caste War / Terry Rugeley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rugeley, Terry, Author.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (263 p.)

Place of Publication:

Austin : University of Texas Press, [2000]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Conflicts between native Maya peoples and European-derived governments have punctuated Mexican history from the Conquest in the sixteenth century to the current Zapatista uprising in Chiapas. In this deeply researched study, Terry Rugeley delves into the 1800-1847 origins of the Caste War, the largest and most successful of these peasant rebellions. Rugeley refutes earlier studies that seek to explain the Caste War in terms of a single issue. Instead, he explores the interactions of several major social forces, including the church, the hacienda, and peasant villagers. He uncovers a complex web of issues that led to the outbreak of war, including the loss of communal lands, substandard living conditions, the counterpoise of Catholicism versus traditional Maya beliefs, and an increasingly heavy tax burden. Drawn from a wealth of primary documents, this book represents the first real attempt to reconstruct the history of the pre-Caste War period. In addition to its obvious importance for Mexican history, it will be illuminating background reading for everyone seeking to understand the ongoing conflict in Chiapas.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

One A RURAL SOCIETY IN THE NEW CENTURY

Two THE RETURN TO PAGAN ANTIQUITY

Three THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GOLDEN AGE

Four DILEMMAS OF THE MAYA ELITE

Five THE IMAN REVOLT

Six "THE DEVIL WILL OVERTAKE US"

Conclusions

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 20. Mar 2025)

ISBN:

9780292799837

OCLC:

1511484200