"The Yucatan Republic — How a Mayan Independence Movement" Topic

….Became a Sideshow of the Mexican-American War

"ONE OF THE most daunting obstacles facing Mexico during its war with the United States was unity – as the country was deeply divided along ethnic, political, and provincial lines. A case in point was the independent Republic of Yucatan (1841-1848). With no roads leading in or out, the entire peninsula was more like an island separated from the Mexican mainland.

Formed in 1823, the First Republic of Yucatan joined the newly independent United Mexican States in the early years of Mexican independence. As such, historians generally consider the 1841 to 1848 period as the "Second Republic of Yucatan." The second republic reaffirmed its independence from federal authorities who were busy trying regain control over the rebellious Republic of Texas (1835-1845). The flag of Yucatan was even modeled after Texas standard, but its colors mimicked those of the Mexican flag: red and green…"

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Armand

Interesting! My gaming group once wargamed this using the "Eagle's Prey" rules, and the Spanish and Mexicans could not defeat the local Maya and Mexican forces operating with both mobile irregular jungle warfare troops and fixed defenses. The Spanish player was so confident in the first battle, until his pretty lines of troops couldn't advance without being disordered and separated by terrain, and then torn to bits by the locals! The Maya captured a bunch of heavy guns after the Spanish retreated in haste.

Interesting indeed….

Armand