Memory, magic and militias: Cora Indian participation in Mexico's wars, from the reforma to the revolution (1854-1920). (29th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morris, Nathaniel
• Is Part Of: Small wars & insurgencies. Volume 30:Number 4/5(2019)
• Page Start: 841
• Page End: 871
• Publication Date: 2019-07-29
• Subjects: Cora Indians -- Nayarit -- Mexico -- insurgency -- autonomy -- War of Reform -- French intervention -- Mexican revolution -- guerrilla tactics; Low-intensity conflicts (Military science) -- Periodicals; Insurgency -- Periodicals; 355.021805
• DOI: 10.1080/09592318.2019.1638544
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-2318

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Mexico's Cora Indians have played an outsized role in national history, thanks to their skilful use of guerrilla tactics and success in forging strategic alliances with outside forces in defence of their cultural, territorial and political autonomy. Cora participation in elite struggles between Liberals and Conservatives (1850–73), and subsequently in the Mexican Revolution (1910–20), helped to shape the way that both conflicts played out in Western Mexico. Such participation also allowed Cora communities to keep hold of traditional landholdings in the face of political and economic reform, while sowing the seeds for the foundation of the Mexican state of Nayarit.