People and Places in the History of Latin America
By Christopher Minster, About.com Guide to Latin American History
Great men and women have called Latin America their home. Names such as Simon Bolivar, Evita Peron and Pancho Villa were well known in their own time and continue to be important today: years, decades and even centuries later. Idealistic rebels, impassioned writers and artists, corrupt madmen and ruthless dictators have all done their part to shape the History of Latin America.
Presidents and Statesmen
Traditionally, Latin American Presidents have enjoyed a great deal of power. Over the years, presidents - some fairly elected, some not - have left their mark on the nations they ruled, often like kings.
Explorers and Conquistadors
The intrepid men who discovered, conquered and carved up Latin America for the Spanish and Portuguese were ruthless and ambitious, determined to carve out private empires from the deserts and jungles of the New World. Although they are all long dead, their spirits continue to haunt the blood-soaked regions they made their own.
- The Conquistadors
- Hernan Cortes, Greatest of the Conquistadors
- Ferdinand Magellan, First to Circumnavigate the Globe
- Pedro de Alvarado, Conqueror of the Maya
- Lope de Aguirre, Madman of El Dorado
- Diego de Almagro the Elder
- Pánfilo de Narváez, the Unluckiest Conquistador
- Christopher Columbus, the Man who Discovered America for Europe
- Juan Sebastián Elcano, First Man Around the World
- Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, Discoverer of the Pacific
- Juan Pizarro, Francisco's Reckless Younger Brother
- Amerigo Vespucci: The Man who Gave his Name to America
Rebels and Activists
Rebels and activists have played an important role in Latin America over the centuries. If it weren't for them, Latin America would still be ruled by the Spanish and the native people of the New World would still be enslaved! Sometimes driven by a keen sense of justice, extraordinary individuals unhappy with the status quo have often been able to work for change.
- Francisco I. Madero, Mexico's unlikely Revolutionary
- Pancho Villa: Robin Hood with a Rifle
- Antonio de Montesinos: A Voice in the Wilderness
- Toribio de Benavente, the Kind Franciscan
- Bartolome de las Casas: the Great Defender of the Indians
- Maneula Saenz, South America's Heroine of Independence
- Camilo Cienfuegos, Cuba's Most Beloved Revolutionary
- Rigoberta Menchu: Guatemala's Voice of the Downtrodden
- Emiliano Zapata, the Tiger of Morelos
- Miguel Hidalgo, Father of Mexican Independence
- Fidel Castro, Leader of the Cuban Revolution
- Francisco de Miranda, Precursor of South American Independence
Dictators and Strongmen
It's a bit of a cliché: the soldier in his uniform running a Latin American country like his own private ranch. There is a certain truth to it, however: Latin America has had a number of iron-fisted dictators who answered to no one but themselves. The unchecked power they held has allowed them to leave their mark on their nations.
- William Walker, Greatest of the Filibusters
- Alberto Fujimori
- Anastasio Somoza Garcia, First of the Somoza Dictators
- Augusto Pinochet, Chile's Controversial Dictator
- Fidel Castro, Cuba's Long-Lived Ruler
- Porfirio Díaz, Mexico's Iron Tyrant
- José Santos Zelaya, Nicaraguan Dictator 1893-1909
- Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's Firebrand Dictator
- Rafael Carrera, Guatemala's First President
- The Crookedest Politicians in Latin American History
- Gabriel Garcia Moreno, Ecuador's Catholic Crusader
Great Women in Latin America
Machismo isn't everything. In spite of major cultural barriers designed to marginalize them, extraordinary women have played important roles in the History of Latin America. As the region modernizes, the impact of capable, ambitious women will continue to grow.
- Evita Perón, Argentina's Greatest First Lady
- Rigoberta Menchu, Guatemala's Human Rights Advocate
- Manuela Sáenz, Heroine of Independence
Artists and Writers
From Frida Kahlo to Gabriel García Marquez, Latin America has been home to many influential artists and writers. Many of these men and women are not afraid of expressing their political and cultural views in their work. As a result, they have often become a voice for marginalized elements of society and some have been quite influential in their homelands and abroad.
- Biography of Roberto Gómez Bolaños (Chespirito)
- Biography of Jorge Luís Borges
- Biography of Diego Rivera
Generals and Soldiers
Military men have always been important to the History of Latin America, which is not surprising considering how many wars, revolutions and civil wars have afflicted the region. Many charismatic military officers have risen to positions of supreme power in government, where their record is mixed: although some have brought stability to troubled nations, others have piled up countless human rights abuses against their own citizens.
- Augusto Pinochet, Mastermind of Operation Condor
- Biography of Carlos Prats
- Juan José Torres, Bolivia's Assassinated General
- Anastasio Somoza García, Nicaraguan General and Dictator
- Francisco de Paula Santander, Bolívar's Nemesis
- Ignacio Allende, Mexican Soldier of Independence
Countries and Cities
In Latin America, places such as countries and cities take on personalities all their own. Many cities have long and fascinating histories!
