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De Túpac Amaru a Gamarra
Este estudio pionero acerca de las relaciones, cambiantes, entre el Estado y sus súbditos indígenas, a lo largo del período de transición entre la Colonia y la República, no sólo es una reconstrucción verdaderamente brillante de un proceso complejo y enigmático, sino también una contribución de vital importancia al esfuerzo actual por entender mejor la forma dolorosa en que nació la Hispanoamérica moderna.
314 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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About the author
Charles F. Walker
14 books8 followersCharles F. Walker is the MacArthur Foundation Endowed Chair in International Human Rights and Director of the Hemispheric Institute on the Americas at the University of California, Davis.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 30, 2023
"Smoldering Ashes" by Charles Walker tells paints a fascinating portrait of the era when the Republic of Peru was founded. It starts with the Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II in 1780, covers the War of Independence (1812-1824), the creation of the Republic (1824), the short life of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation (1836–1839), and the Restoration (1839- 1841) in which the separate republics of Peru and Bolivia were re-established.
The work is based on a synthesis of Latin American scholarship and the author's own research in the archives of the city of Cuzco in Southern Peru. It is difficult to read in places due primarily due to the author's need to pander the norms of political correctness of his era; that-is-to-say he felt that he needed to describe the Indians not as a group of victims but as a driving forces in the historical process.
The Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II of 1780 was an enormous conflict that is estimated to have killed 100,000 Indians and 10,000 to 40,000 non-Indians. The Indians revolted because of a multitude of grievances. In the years immediately preceding, the colonial regime had begun to collect the head tax levied on Peru's Indians in a more aggressive manner. The sales tax rates the number of goods taxed had increased. Regulations had been implemented that required Indians to buy goods at special outlets charging higher prices. Finally the Indians were forced to work on more labour on public works projects for longer periods.
After the revolt was suppressed, the colonial regime reverted to gentler collection practices for the Head Tax, removed the requirements to shop at the special stores and ceased increasing the amount of forced labour imposed on the Indians. Generally it could be said that there was a reversion to the status quo that existed prior to rebellion except that the creoles (whites) became much more nervous about the Indian population.
Because of the desire for stability, the Creoles were difficult to mobilize during the war of Independence. Peru rid itself of the Spanish regime in large measure due to efforts of two foreign armies: those of Simon Bolivar of Venezuela and José de San Martin of Argentina. After founding their republic in 1824, the Peruvians chose to maintain the colonial institutions.
The Indian Head Tax was especially difficult to get rid of. The Indian population was very large and the revenues from the Head Tax were considerable. In the department of Cuzco, which Walker focussed on, Indians were 80% of the population and depending on the year, the Head Tax provided 50% to 70% of Cuzco's revenues. The Indians were not very anxious to do away with it as the payment of it guaranteed their right to their lands. The Indian Head Tax was not abolished until 1854.
During the years following the War of Independence, the practice of government through Caudillos (i.e. military dictators) was established. Also the country divided into two political camps: the liberals and the conservatives. The Liberals favored a less centralized state , open trade policies, and more restrictions on Presidential power. The Liberal press- promoted progressive European values. The Conservatives were for centralization, a strong military, the preservation of colonial institutions and barriers against foreign good. Unlikely the Liberals who were overly intellectual, the Conservative discourse was populist and rigorously focussed on local interests. In power, the Liberals and Conservatives were quite similar. Family traditions and loyalties tended to dictate which camp the individual Peruvians aligned themselves with.
"Smoldering Ashes" is a very illuminating book for the Anglophone reader unfamiliar with Latin America. I recommend it highly to Americans and Canadians anxious to learn more about their South American neighbours.
The work is based on a synthesis of Latin American scholarship and the author's own research in the archives of the city of Cuzco in Southern Peru. It is difficult to read in places due primarily due to the author's need to pander the norms of political correctness of his era; that-is-to-say he felt that he needed to describe the Indians not as a group of victims but as a driving forces in the historical process.
The Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II of 1780 was an enormous conflict that is estimated to have killed 100,000 Indians and 10,000 to 40,000 non-Indians. The Indians revolted because of a multitude of grievances. In the years immediately preceding, the colonial regime had begun to collect the head tax levied on Peru's Indians in a more aggressive manner. The sales tax rates the number of goods taxed had increased. Regulations had been implemented that required Indians to buy goods at special outlets charging higher prices. Finally the Indians were forced to work on more labour on public works projects for longer periods.
After the revolt was suppressed, the colonial regime reverted to gentler collection practices for the Head Tax, removed the requirements to shop at the special stores and ceased increasing the amount of forced labour imposed on the Indians. Generally it could be said that there was a reversion to the status quo that existed prior to rebellion except that the creoles (whites) became much more nervous about the Indian population.
Because of the desire for stability, the Creoles were difficult to mobilize during the war of Independence. Peru rid itself of the Spanish regime in large measure due to efforts of two foreign armies: those of Simon Bolivar of Venezuela and José de San Martin of Argentina. After founding their republic in 1824, the Peruvians chose to maintain the colonial institutions.
The Indian Head Tax was especially difficult to get rid of. The Indian population was very large and the revenues from the Head Tax were considerable. In the department of Cuzco, which Walker focussed on, Indians were 80% of the population and depending on the year, the Head Tax provided 50% to 70% of Cuzco's revenues. The Indians were not very anxious to do away with it as the payment of it guaranteed their right to their lands. The Indian Head Tax was not abolished until 1854.
During the years following the War of Independence, the practice of government through Caudillos (i.e. military dictators) was established. Also the country divided into two political camps: the liberals and the conservatives. The Liberals favored a less centralized state , open trade policies, and more restrictions on Presidential power. The Liberal press- promoted progressive European values. The Conservatives were for centralization, a strong military, the preservation of colonial institutions and barriers against foreign good. Unlikely the Liberals who were overly intellectual, the Conservative discourse was populist and rigorously focussed on local interests. In power, the Liberals and Conservatives were quite similar. Family traditions and loyalties tended to dictate which camp the individual Peruvians aligned themselves with.
"Smoldering Ashes" is a very illuminating book for the Anglophone reader unfamiliar with Latin America. I recommend it highly to Americans and Canadians anxious to learn more about their South American neighbours.
April 27, 2017
Ya había leído la segunda mitad del libro el año pasado y ahora terminé de leerlo completamente.
Este libro del historiador Charles Walker es en realidad una adaptación de su tesis de investigador, efectivamente él radicó en Cuzco, Perú donde estudió muchos materiales documentales del Cuzco virreinal y republicano.
Es por ello que el libro puede ser muy pesado en muchas partes, no lo recomendaría a cualquier persona, está lleno de citas por razones como definir qué es nación o nacionalidad, osea por principios elementales que como historiador le interesa justificar y fundamentar. Es un libro muy técnico en éste y muchos aspectos.
Podríamos decir que consta de dos partes, en la primera habla del movimiento de Túpac Amaru, revolucionario indígena que llevó a cabo una revolución que tuvo consecuencias en el Perú virreinal (1780), analiza el Cuzco y su composición étnica y social y cómo Túpac Amaru no pudo reunir a todos bajo un mismo objetivo a pesar de su gran esfuerzo. Las acciones militares son contadas brevemente.
La segunda parte habla de Agustín Gamarra, personaje de gran interés para mí. Habla ahí también de lo mismo, su interés fundamental es demostrar por qué fracasó en el objetivo de unir a los indígenas y representarlos. Para ello presenta un estudio minucioso sobre los acontecimientos alrededor de la Batalla de Yanacocha, que a mi ver es la parte más interesante de libro. Y para ello recurre a los documentos en los archivos históricos que hablan de los movimientos previos y el desarrollo.
Este libro del historiador Charles Walker es en realidad una adaptación de su tesis de investigador, efectivamente él radicó en Cuzco, Perú donde estudió muchos materiales documentales del Cuzco virreinal y republicano.
Es por ello que el libro puede ser muy pesado en muchas partes, no lo recomendaría a cualquier persona, está lleno de citas por razones como definir qué es nación o nacionalidad, osea por principios elementales que como historiador le interesa justificar y fundamentar. Es un libro muy técnico en éste y muchos aspectos.
Podríamos decir que consta de dos partes, en la primera habla del movimiento de Túpac Amaru, revolucionario indígena que llevó a cabo una revolución que tuvo consecuencias en el Perú virreinal (1780), analiza el Cuzco y su composición étnica y social y cómo Túpac Amaru no pudo reunir a todos bajo un mismo objetivo a pesar de su gran esfuerzo. Las acciones militares son contadas brevemente.
La segunda parte habla de Agustín Gamarra, personaje de gran interés para mí. Habla ahí también de lo mismo, su interés fundamental es demostrar por qué fracasó en el objetivo de unir a los indígenas y representarlos. Para ello presenta un estudio minucioso sobre los acontecimientos alrededor de la Batalla de Yanacocha, que a mi ver es la parte más interesante de libro. Y para ello recurre a los documentos en los archivos históricos que hablan de los movimientos previos y el desarrollo.
November 27, 2020
Increíble como las luchas entre liberales y autoritarios de principios de la república, se mantienen 200 años después.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews