The Caste War of the Yucatan Nelson Reed Book Review

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The caste was was a racial war that stretched over multiple generations. A post script written in 1959 when Reed visited the jungle villages of the Maya, shows all too well that some Maya still harbor hope for mysterious visitors to enable them to proceed the war. It is a story near lasting corruption, hopelessness, and oppression. Nearly everyone suffers. The book is difficult to follow at times because Reed assumes his audition has some familiarity with the contents; and he insists on using The caste was was a racial state of war that stretched over multiple generations. A mail service script written in 1959 when Reed visited the jungle villages of the Maya, shows all too well that some Maya still harbor hope for mysterious visitors to enable them to continue the war. It is a story about lasting abuse, hopelessness, and oppression. Well-nigh everyone suffers. The volume is difficult to follow at times because Reed assumes his audition has some familiarity with the contents; and he insists on using a jargon-filled academic writing style. It is like shooting fish in a barrel to miss something important, which sets the reader dorsum in following the chain of events.

The caste war had its causes in the systemic racism and injustices of the colonial menses. Reed glosses over the Spanish era and focuses on the new Mexican regime. Information technology was during the transition from colonial territory to independence that accelerated the causes of the Caste War. Although Reed focuses on oppression, racism, and parallel forms of justice for Mayans and Ladinos / Creoles (Whites); it is likely that the transition from colony to independent nation had major economic and social changes that exacerbated these tensions. The geography of Mexico also made the Yucatan of the 19th Century more of an isolated island split from Mexico proper. This meant that local Ladinos often sought to undermine, rebel, and disrupt social and political life in the surface area - frequently seeking Mayan support, only to ignore promises to the Mayan when successful in their rebellions.

The Maya themselves were a complex group. They were a bizarre mixture of pre-Colombian Maya and Christian converts. Parts of Spanish colonialism imprinted onto a technologically inferior peoples. A scattering of Mestizos formed something of a layer of upper grade Maya. These were not accepted into Ladino Society and took information technology upon themselves to atomic number 82 a wholly Mayan revolt in 1847 Simply ane of them appears to have survived the war itself simply to be murdered later on past more radical followers. The Maya were initially successful. With victory in their grasp, they decided at the terminal minute to walk away from the last battle....and plant corn. The Ladinos recovered slowly. The war turned into a blueprint of raiding - the destruction or starvation of the other side. Information technology was a macabre game of life and death where the Ladinos had the advantage of exterior help whereas the Maya could just look inward. The guerilla war forced the Maya into starvation and sickness, pushing them further and farther into the rocky soil of the raw jungle. The state of war did non cease with a blindside; just rather exhaustion.

The Ladino raiders failed to find more Maya to fight. Although there are no exact figures, Reed estimated that one-half of the population had died by gun, machete, sickness, starvation, fleeing the surface area, or disappearing. Some areas lost 75% of the population. Reed estimated 147,000 dead between 1847 and 1855. The Maya who formerly consisted the majority of the population in some areas had become a distinct and declining minority within a few decades. The collapse of the Maya position led to a new religion in a speaking cross. Originally a ventriloquist controlled the speaking cross; merely Ladino incursions removed such talent. The cross (and its offspring) took on a role like to that of the North American Ghost Trip the light fantastic toe and the Cargo Cults of New Guinea. The Maya searched for a supernatural explanation (and hope) for their existential crisis.

The Speaking Cross immune the Maya to class a new guild based on a new town. The peninsula now became two split up states: Yucatan and Chan Santa Cruz or Quintana Roo. Both nations routinely harassed the other with raiding and warfare; simply at that place was no concentrated effort to defeat and exterminate the other. Ladino expansion was wearisome and steady. Reed could contend that Ladino expansion instigated many of the border clashes; simply he does non. Yucatan returned to a complex organization of revolt, corruption, and repeat. Reed argues that this cycle did not crusade besides much violence or disruption. Information technology was most a normal by time for the Ladinos. One cardinal politico who lasts throughout much of the book, Col. Jose Cetina, was involved in numerous revolts - including during the Caste War - with his merely real punishment existence temporary exile. Ultimately, the technological advantage of the Ladinos and the slow and methodical expansion into Mayan territory allowed total Ladino victory. Simply that came ca. 1900. A general slowly built a road to the Mayan capital city and occupied information technology. Then began a new regime of intense exploitation and corruption followed by a radical liberal government. The story is almost comical in the reverses of each side.

The serious drawback to the book is the writing. Reed is a terrible author. His research is dandy; but his writing....He leapfrogs through time and space. The capacity are arraigned in chronological social club 1820-1920. But in the center of a affiliate on 1850-1855 he volition talk over the political state of affairs in Campeche 1845-1860 without conspicuously connecting information technology to the story. Further complications include the Ladinos themselves in their pattern of revolt, exile, and reconciliation. Col. Centina revolted seemingly every time he is mentioned in the book. Individuals with the same family name as well made information technology difficult to follow the story. Which Col. Cepeda is doing what? What Ruiz is revolting? What Ruiz is loyal? Who is the legal dominance at any given moment? That level of chaos and disorganization manifestly assisted the Maya in the early stages of the war. Lastly, Reed is writing for an audience of academics. Casual readers can read half the book or more than before learning that the Cruzob is a tribe / clan / confederation of Maya. Balam Na was the habitation of the Speaking Cantankerous. Basic ideas are non clear in the writing. In that location is too much detail and not enough synthesis and assay.

Overall, the story is fascinating. A barbarous race war that is sporadically interrupted by in-fighting on each side. Each side in the war had multiple opportunities to stop the war either through violence or peace. Merely fate always stepped in to challenge it. Hardliners always replaced the moderates seeking peace. It is very relevant for any nation that studies racial disparity and injustice. Information technology does not take much for resentment to boil over into violence. The level of detail present in this volume makes information technology hard to extrapolate the central ideas; just they are nowadays.

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Durante muchos años el odio y el rencor se fueron acumulando entre los descendientes de los mayas, lo que ocasionó una guerra contra los blancos que ocupaban la Península. El autor NelsonReed recopiló información a través de cartas, periódicos y hablando con algunos mayas que visitó.

Este libro cuenta la historia de la guerra de castas en México, o mejor dicho, una guerra en la cual los mayas casi logran reconquistar Yucatán en la segunda mitad del siglo 19 y que perduró hasta inicios del siglo Twenty. Esta guerra además estuvo racializada y generó durante un tiempo un territorio maya independiente en donde surgió un estado teocrático (los Cruzob). Las relaciones internacionales y las diferentes guerras en México jugaron un papel importante para su existencia. Una lectura recom Este libro cuenta la historia de la guerra de castas en México, o mejor dicho, una guerra en la cual los mayas casi logran reconquistar Yucatán en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX y que perduró hasta inicios del siglo Xx. Esta guerra además estuvo racializada y generó durante united nations tiempo united nations territorio maya independiente en donde surgió un estado teocrático (los Cruzob). Las relaciones internacionales y las diferentes guerras en México jugaron un papel importante para su existencia. Una lectura recomendada para aquellos que quieran conocer más a fondo la historia de México. ...more

February 18, 2018 Zer0 rated it really liked it

Over time, some mistakes have been found in this volume, such as in the existent proper name of "Chan Santa Cruz". Just it is still a very vivid narrative of such a dramatic and of import episode for the Yucatan Peninsula.

Con el paso del tiempo se le han encontrado algunos errores a este libro, como por ejemplo en el verdadero nombre de "Chan Santa Cruz". Pero no deja de ser una narración muy viva de united nations episodio tan dramático e importante para la península de Yucatán.

Over time, some mistakes have been found in this volume, such every bit in the real name of "Chan Santa Cruz". But information technology is all the same a very brilliant narrative of such a dramatic and important episode for the Yucatan Peninsula.

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Jan 13, 2022 Alex rated information technology actually liked information technology

The only expert book (at least in English) about the Caste War and war machine and religious history of the Mayan peoples who lived quasi-independent of Mexico for several generations all the way into the early 20th Century. The new faith they created from a fusion of Mayan and Christian ceremonies is probably the most interesting attribute of this time.

Jun 03, 2020 Becky Snow rated it it was astonishing

I'chiliad sort of in betwixt really liking and non liking this. Information technology starts out super interesting; it'south a history written by an archaeologist, so he goes into some item around the layers of soil and their farming practices. There's a lot of word around the farming and religious practices, i loved his archeological way and pulling dorsum the layers on history.

But and so it launches into a few chapters of slow military history. I don't like battle stuff, it'southward and then boring. You can almost skip the mid

I'm sort of in betwixt really liking and not liking this. It starts out super interesting; it's a history written by an archaeologist, so he goes into some detail effectually the layers of soil and their farming practices. There's a lot of discussion around the farming and religious practices, i loved his archeological style and pulling back the layers on history.

But then information technology launches into a few chapters of boring war machine history. I don't similar battle stuff, it's so wearisome. You tin most skip the middle, because the cease, specially the post script written in 1959 is really great.

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La guerra de castas es esa etapa aparentemente muy escondida en la historia de México. En esta obra el autor hizo un excelente trabajo, está escrita de una manera bastante entendible para cualquier público. Lo único malo, las letras son demasiado pequeñas y suele llegar a ser cansado al momento de leer por largos períodos de tiempo.

Excelente libro, lectura obligada sobre una historia de salvajismo infligido al pueblo maya en la peninsula de yucatan

Jan 04, 2017 Liz rated it really liked information technology

Excellent inquiry, very informative.

BOOKS About YUCATÁN. Nelson Reed is a pioneer when it comes to studies of Yucatán's history, and this book about the decades-long Guerra de las Castas (War of the Castes) was for many years the standard text on the subject. Today there is a mini-cottage industry among academics who specialize it the region'southward history, simply Reed can say with pride he was there first.

This version of the book gets 4 stars from me because information technology doesn't accept footnotes (something Reed corrected in the second edition, wh

BOOKS ABOUT YUCATÁN. Nelson Reed is a pioneer when it comes to studies of Yucatán's history, and this book about the decades-long Guerra de las Castas (War of the Castes) was for many years the standard text on the subject. Today there is a mini-cottage industry among academics who specialize it the region'southward history, merely Reed tin can say with pride he was at that place first.

This version of the book gets four stars from me considering information technology doesn't have footnotes (something Reed corrected in the 2d edition, which I also review). For me this is where my interest in the War of the Castes began, prompting my ain research into the subject. Recommended, just get the 2nd edition.

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It definitely filled a gap in my knowledge. Aside from the Classic Mayan period, my general readings and documentary viewings on Mexican history to date had very limited coverage of the Yucatan peninsula. Nelson Reed resolved that with a very detailed look at the history this region of Mexico (plus Belize's function in the story). The main focus of the volume is the disharmonism of the Ladino and Mazehual worlds in the latter one-half of the 19th century, although it also provides a proficient preface of the 2 cultu Information technology definitely filled a gap in my cognition. Aside from the Classic Mayan period, my general readings and documentary viewings on Mexican history to date had very limited coverage of the Yucatan peninsula. Nelson Reed resolved that with a very detailed look at the history this region of United mexican states (plus Belize's role in the story). The chief focus of the book is the disharmonism of the Ladino and Mazehual worlds in the latter half of the 19th century, although it also provides a good preface of the 2 cultures and a more than cursory review of the 20th century lingering traces. ...more

Feb 09, 2014 Eric rated information technology really liked it

Great achievement. The commencement serious account in English of this fascinating, virtually unknown one-half-century of Maya rebellion. Reed's telling is dense with vivid detail, but at times the density is overwhelming. Terry Rugeley's Rebellion Now and Forever, written four decades afterwards, is just as fun to read and makes major patterns and conclusions a lot clearer for the reader. Reed's still a great place to start, though. Dandy achievement. The beginning serious account in English of this fascinating, virtually unknown half-century of Maya rebellion. Reed's telling is dense with vivid item, but at times the density is overwhelming. Terry Rugeley's Rebellion At present and Forever, written four decades later, is just as fun to read and makes major patterns and conclusions a lot clearer for the reader. Reed's nonetheless a bully place to kickoff, though. ...more than

May 09, 2007 Helen rated information technology really liked it

This is a detailed business relationship of the clash between classes in the Yucatan. It'south a bit of a long read, and slightly biased, but a must-have for anyone interested in history of the Yucatan. This is a detailed account of the disharmonism between classes in the Yucatan. It'due south a bit of a long read, and slightly biased, but a must-take for anyone interested in history of the Yucatan. ...more