The Mayan Civilization

Paper Summary:

This paper focuses primarily on the Mayan culture prior to the arrival of the Spanish, with an emphasis on their religion, art and way of life. The purpose of this background information is to allow the reader to understand the picture that Spanish culture came into and therefore to be able to better understand the cultural contributions of both cultures that are found in Mexico and Central America today.

Outline:
General Introduction to Mayan Civilization
The Arrival of the Spanish to the New World
The Creation of a Mayan-Mexican Culture
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Two of the world's greatest, most powerful and most advanced civilizations existed on two different ends of the globe. The Spanish is Spain and the Mayan empire of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Central America both dominated their respective areas and brought about numerous advancements to human civilization. When these two very different world's collided upon the Spanish arrival in the New World, not only did the Mayan empire collapse to the brutality of Spanish colonization, but also a new, unique culture arose that is today a prevalent aspect of Mexico and Central America. The best way to describe this "New World" culture is as a hybrid of the old Mayan ways and the new Spanish ways."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Clendinnen, Inga. Ambivalent Conquests: Maya and Spaniards in Yucatan, 1517-1570. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
• Salisbury, Neal, Manitou and Providence. Indians, Europeans and the Making of New England: 1500 - 1643. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982.

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