User:Quixxx/sandbox

The indigenous Mayan revolt of 1820 was an uprising of indigenous Maya peoples that occurred in Totonicapán, located in the western highlands of Guatemala. The uprising was in response to the excessive tribute demanded by the colonial authorities and managed to establish a short lived breakaway state in Totonicapán with a free indigenous government. The rebellion was concurrent with the independence of Central America and other Latin American wars of independence.

Background
Much of the colonial economy of New Spain was dependent on the exploitation of indigenous land and labor by the criollo and Spanish elite, this was especially true in colonial Guatemala where native Mayans and other indigenous people were imposed heavy tributes. In response to the heavy burden the natives faced, and seeking to create legitimacy for their new government, the Cadiz Constitution of 1812 was enacted by Napoleonic Spain which abolished these tributes as well as extending suffrage to all indigenous Americans. This constitution would be short lived however, and after the fall of Napoleonic Spain and reinstatement of King Ferdinand VII into power, the Cadiz Constitution was abolished in 1814 along with all the agreements the constitution enacted.

Rebellion
As a response to Ferdinand's repeal of the Cadiz constitution, K'iche towns in Totonicapán rose up in opposition to tribute payment. Under the leadership of Atanasio Tzul, who was declared king, a small struggle would ensure against the chief political figure of the Kingdom of Guatemala, Archbishop Ramón Casaus y Torres. An autonomous state with a proper indigenous government was established in Totonicapán and lasted for 20 days. The rebellion would later be put down by a ladino militia and Tzul, along with other indigenous leaders, was imprisoned. Tzul and other Maya leaders would later be pardoned and released that next year.