South America

An illustration from Antiguedades Peruanas, by Mariano Eduardo de Rivero and Juan Diego de Tschudi (1851), showing an Inca mummy.

When Inca Mummies Came to Europe

Older than their Egyptian counterparts, the preserved remains of Andean peoples fascinated 19th-century Europe, leading to a ‘bone stampede’ for Inca mummies. But to what end?

Bartolomé de las Casas in a 19th century etching. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Public Domain.

The Valladolid Debate on the Rights of Indigenous People

Was the subjugation of indigenous peoples a just means to expedite Christianity? On 15 August 1550, a humanist scholar and a Dominican friar debated.

Sandinistas at the walls of the Estelí National Guard headquarters, Nicaragua, 1979.

A History of Violence

The CIA has veered far from the purpose for which it was founded. Intended to gather and collate intelligence, it became instead a secretive organisation accountable to no one, which had disastrous consequences for Latin America.

The Switzerland of Latin America

The impact and long-term legacy of Uruguay’s progressive leader.

The Mighty Fallen

At the beginning of the 20th century Argentina was a major economic power. That all changed with the Great Depression.

The Story of Peru’s Cloud Warriors

What can be known about Peru’s pre-Incan civilisation?

Hernán Cortés and his troops during the Noche Triste, Mexican, 17th century.

Contested Legacy of the Conquistadors

If we are to better understand the actions of men such as Hernán Cortés, we must place them in the context of a medieval world view that predated the nation state.