The Mayan Civilization: Conflict Within

Nearly every civilization has had some sort of confrontation. While most of these confrontations are with foreign invaders, some are also with dominant cultures within the country. One of the most notable instances of confrontation in a country is that of the Mayan civilization in Mexico. This indigenous group has not only had to deal with foreigners, but they have also had to endure the shaping of Mexican society.

The first real struggle that the Mayans faced was the Spanish invasion in 1517. According to a time line created by Luis Dumois, the Spanish "first arrive on the shores of Yucat�n under Hern�ndez de C�rdoba, who later dies of wounds received in battle against the Maya. The arrival of the Spanish ushers in Old World diseases unknown among the Maya, including smallpox, influenza and measles. Within a century, 90 percent of Mesoam�rica's native populations will be killed off." (mexconnect.com). While the whole Mayan population was nearly wiped off the face of Mexico, the few that survived continued to rebel. Interestingly enough, the Mayans continued to rebel for the next few centuries, even though the Spanish conquered a majority of their capitals and villages. In essence, the Mayans during the 1500s did not really have any confrontations with other civilizations in Mexico. Rather, they had to face the onslaught of Spaniards and new diseases.