Like most battles that took place on Mexican soil, the Caste War of Yucatan was about the indigenous population trying to get out from under the oppressive thumb of their European colonizers. This time it was the Maya people of Yucatan, the peninsula on the east coast of Mexico which separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. Today, that area is home to some of the world's most popular resort communities. Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum are just a few beautiful locations visitors to Mexico like to explore.
When the Spanish had established their colonies, they imposed a legal caste system which all residents were forced to adhere to. At the top were the 'peninsulares' who were officials born in Spain. Second came 'criolles', people of Spanish descent but not born there. Third were the 'mestizo', those born of mixed Spanish and Native blood. Fourth were the 'hidalgos', Pre-Colombian nobility who had previously collaborated with the Spanish. Finally at the bottom of the system were the Native 'indios', or indigenous peoples (mostly Mayan) and they outnumbered all other groups by at least three to one.
In Yucatan, the peninsulares and criolles were always at odds with each other, one accusing the other of having too much control over lower caste groups. However they were forced to cooperate simply out of the fear of the lower caste groups they tried to control. Lands that had been ruled as 'communal' at the beginning of colonization were continually being encroached upon, and privatized by the higher castes. Agave was soon discovered to be a valuable commodity, and plantations popped up all over Yucatan. Essentially, Mayans were forced to work the plantations because of their place in the caste system, plus it was one of the only means of income available at the time. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 was already law, so plantation owners were obliged to pay their labor, but there was nothing in the act about how much or recommendations for the overall treatment of workers.
The stage was set for war by 1847. Hundreds of years of abject humiliation, brutality, genocide, broken promises and general cruelty had brought the Maya people to a point where there was no choice but to attack their keepers. Between 1847 and 1883 the Maya experienced many victories and managed to achieve an independent state. Spanish, British and French interests were certainly not going to let go of their new colonies that easily. Skirmishes continued throughout the period of so-called independence, and in 1848 evolved into full scale war.
By 1901 the entire Yucatan region had once again come under the control of Mexican authorities - with massive European support. The Maya were defeated in all possible ways; economically, physically, spiritually. Even though conflicts continued to pop up well into the 1930's, the Yucatan would never again belong to the Maya people. Viewing the white sand beaches and crystal blue ocean waters of today's Yucatan, it is hard to believe that less than one hundred years ago the area was ensconced in a vicious civil conflict.
When the Spanish had established their colonies, they imposed a legal caste system which all residents were forced to adhere to. At the top were the 'peninsulares' who were officials born in Spain. Second came 'criolles', people of Spanish descent but not born there. Third were the 'mestizo', those born of mixed Spanish and Native blood. Fourth were the 'hidalgos', Pre-Colombian nobility who had previously collaborated with the Spanish. Finally at the bottom of the system were the Native 'indios', or indigenous peoples (mostly Mayan) and they outnumbered all other groups by at least three to one.
In Yucatan, the peninsulares and criolles were always at odds with each other, one accusing the other of having too much control over lower caste groups. However they were forced to cooperate simply out of the fear of the lower caste groups they tried to control. Lands that had been ruled as 'communal' at the beginning of colonization were continually being encroached upon, and privatized by the higher castes. Agave was soon discovered to be a valuable commodity, and plantations popped up all over Yucatan. Essentially, Mayans were forced to work the plantations because of their place in the caste system, plus it was one of the only means of income available at the time. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 was already law, so plantation owners were obliged to pay their labor, but there was nothing in the act about how much or recommendations for the overall treatment of workers.
The stage was set for war by 1847. Hundreds of years of abject humiliation, brutality, genocide, broken promises and general cruelty had brought the Maya people to a point where there was no choice but to attack their keepers. Between 1847 and 1883 the Maya experienced many victories and managed to achieve an independent state. Spanish, British and French interests were certainly not going to let go of their new colonies that easily. Skirmishes continued throughout the period of so-called independence, and in 1848 evolved into full scale war.
By 1901 the entire Yucatan region had once again come under the control of Mexican authorities - with massive European support. The Maya were defeated in all possible ways; economically, physically, spiritually. Even though conflicts continued to pop up well into the 1930's, the Yucatan would never again belong to the Maya people. Viewing the white sand beaches and crystal blue ocean waters of today's Yucatan, it is hard to believe that less than one hundred years ago the area was ensconced in a vicious civil conflict.
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