The Latin American History Podcast aims to tell the story of Spanish and Portuguese America from its very beginnings up until the present day. Latin America’s history is home to some of the most exciting and unbelievable stories of adventure and exploration, and this podcast will tell these stories in all their glory. It will examine colonial society, slavery, and what life was like for the region’s inhabitants during this period. We will look at what caused the wars of independence, how the ...
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Today’s story is not about a specific event, but rather an overview of a place which might have been about as far from the forefront of the big events in Latin American history as it is possible to get, yet which saw a succession of bizarre occurrences across its history. Despite being uninhabited for most of human history, this remote atoll has dr…
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Today we have a special interview episode with Marcos Colón about his new book The Amazon in Times of War. The book is a collection of essays which detail Marcos' work in the Amazon rainforest, and chronicle the threats which the region, its people, and its non-human inhabitants face. In the interview we talk about how Brazil's recent political his…
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In the final part of our mini-series on Juan de Onate's time in New Mexico we follow him on his third journey, westwards in search of the Pacific Ocean, and then look at his fate and that of his colony. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/b…
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Onate faces the first real resistance to his colony, and takes it badly. The Acoma massacre is probably the event of his conquests for which he is most well known. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcir…
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Today we start a three part series on the conquest of New Mexico. In this first episode we introduce Juan de Onate - the conquistador tasked with incorporating the territory into the Spanish empire, and follow him through the deserts of northern Mexico. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-con…
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In the second and final part of our mini-series on Mesoamerican food, we look at how West Africa, the USA, and the rest of Latin America have influenced the region's cuisine. Then, we look at drinks. Everyone and everything from protectionist tax laws and Filipino immigrants to Russian religious sects and smuggler-priests have played a role in the …
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The food of Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) is perhaps the best in all of Latin America. In part one of two on the history of the region's cuisine, we look at how indigenous and European influences combined to create such a deep food culture. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcas…
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Today we look at a concept known as the black legend. There is no question that the Spanish conquests of Latin America were bloody affairs, and that conquest as a whole is not exactly pleasant. There is however a school a thought which argues that the Spanish were vilified for geo-political reasons, often hypocritically by those doing the vilifying…
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In this second and final part about the kingdom of the Itza, we tell the story of how it was conquered. Involved is an ambitious Spanish governor, some unauthorized diplomacy, and a recreation of the assault on Tenochtitlan Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: ht…
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In remote northern Guatemala is a beautiful old city built onto an island. The shores of the lake which surrounds it are peppered with unexcavated Maya ruins. Almost two centuries after the fall of the Aztec, a transplanted Maya kingdom ruled from this island, unmolested by the Spanish empire which had taken over most of the rest of the continent. …
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In 1695 Scotland decided to have a go at the new world colonisation which seemed to be benefiting its neighbours so much. They settled on Panama as they place to do it and almost the whole country was involved in funding the scheme. The story of the Darien colony would have a profound impact on the country - one which continues to define Scotland t…
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In 1911 American explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon the lost city of Machu Picchu - forgotten since it was abandoned by the Inca centuries before. That's the story at least, the reality is much more complex. Could he have done it without the help of Peruvians? Was he really the first outsider to get there? And what does it really mean for a ruin …
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A wave of disease is spreading, leading to the implementation of a vaccination campaign. Some among the population are suspicious and take to the streets to make their opposition clear. This story did not take place during the recent pandemic however, this episode is about an obscure uprising which took place in 20th century Brazil. Support this po…
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This is just a quick message to give an update a few changes I am planning to make to the podcast. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyPor Max Serjeant
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In the second part of our look at Latin America's musical traditions we examine the role that music plays in some fascinating indigenous traditions. We also see how European waltz and even medieval troubadour culture came to influence the sound of the region. Finally I talk about some of my favourite Latin artists making music today. Support this p…
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To celebrate the 100th episode of the Latin American History Podcast, today we have a special episode (the first of two parts) on Latin American music. In this one we look at the significant contribution made by Latin America's Afro-descended populations on many of the region's genres. We discuss some of the musical techniques used in genres such a…
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It has been quite a while since we looked at what was happening in Spain and Portugal, and while they have not often been directly relevant to the story of Latin America, things are about to change. In this episode we look at the contemporary kings of Iberia and why, although their reigns did saw huge growth in their New World empires, they general…
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In 1555 the Kingdom of France took the dramatic step of attempting to colonise Brazil. This was the first time that a non-Iberian nation had challenged Portuguese and Spanish hegemony on the continent and would set a precedent which would later be followed by other European powers. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-…
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Hugo Wong's book 'America's Lost Chinese' tells the fascinating - and often forgotten - story of a group of Chinese emigrees who made a home for themselves, first in California and then Mexico. It is a story which spans the full spectrum of human experience – involved in it are meetings with presidents and successful business ventures, but also rev…
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In the final part of our series on the conquest of Chile, the conquering stops and a long drawn-out war begins. This will begin a pattern which will continue to the present day, as the Mapuche people fiercely resist outside incursions. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising I…
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The next phase of Valdivia's campaign was one of expansion. Things were going well, and new settlements were founded. It wasn't all easy however, he faced internal dissension and difficult weather slowed his progress. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://…
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After all his difficulties preparing for his expedition, Valdivia was finally ready to march down into central Chile. While what he found there wasn't as inhospitable as his countrymen back in Peru believed it to be, it wasn't easy either. The first years of his new colony were a constant struggle to survive as setbacks came from every direction. S…
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Today we start a series on the conquest of Chile. In today's episode we introduce the main protagonists, and the difficulties preparing for a venture which most Spaniards thought was madness. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Priva…
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Almost at the same time that Miguel de Buria was founding his brief free kingdom, another man was doing the same in Panama. Bayano would prove to be even more of a problem for the Spanish than his counterpart in Venezuela. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: htt…
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Today's episode is an interview with Camilla Townsend about her new book The Aztec Myths. In it we discuss the origins of the Aztec, the workings of their calendar, the codices which provide us with a vital insight into the Aztec world, and how Aztec religious practices were impacted by Christianity after the conquest. The book can be pre-ordered h…
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By 1550 the slave trade had begun to form an important part of Spain's imperial economy, and increasing numbers of people were being imported to work in its plantations and mines. Where there are slaves however, there is resistance and in Venezuela a group managed to break free and form their independent settlement. This is the story of Miguel de B…
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After wasting a lot of time and money following rumours of riches and precious metals, De Coronado had a choice to make - go home, try to make the best of what he had found, or set off on another wild goose chase. The link to the article about the new research into De Coronado's route: https://knowridge.com/2024/02/scientists-discover-possible-coro…
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De Coronado set off to try and find Cibola following de Nizza's dubious directions. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyPor Max Serjeant
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El Dorado wasn't the only mythical city which was inspiring the Spanish to march out into the unknown. Somewhere beyond the deserts of northern Mexico, it was thought that there was another. Today we follow de Coronado as he begins his search for the golden city of Cibola, and reunite with Estevanico who we met on the Narvaez expedition. Support th…
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Today we have a special episode - an interview with Allen Wells about his new book Latin America's Democratic Crusade. Allen's book examines the 20th century and argues that, despite the preoccupations within the USA about the Cold War, for many inside the region a different battle was playing out. Not Communism versus Capitalism, but democracy ver…
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After finding it such hard going, today the Montejos will finish their conquest. That doesn't mean that it will be easy however, to go forwards they will have to take some more steps backwards. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Pri…
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Montejo came back for another go at conquering the Yucatan, and this time he decided to approach it from a different angle. Would he be any more successful this time? Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://red…
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The Yucatan peninsula formed a big unconquered space between several of the Spanish empire's most important colonies. In 1526 a man named Francisco de Montejo decided it was time to try and bring it under his control. Upon arrival, he faced a difficult natural environment and a Maya population who had no intention of giving up their sovereignty. Su…
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While the Spanish were expanding across South America, there was a vast gap in the land they controlled. The River Plate looked like a promising place for would-be conquistadors, and was only a matter of time before somebody tried to conquer it. Doing so turned out to be much more difficult that anticipated. Support this podcast at — https://redcir…
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After a long period of ignoring the Americas, eventually Portugal made it's first efforts to colonise the land they had been allotted in Brazil. It would be a patchy and difficult process, but eventually they managed to establish an administration on which they could start to build. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american…
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With the Spanish expanding into the north west corner of South America, aspiring conquistadors were on the look out for new lands which they could conquer. One of these, Francisco de Orellana, set out on an expedition to find the mythical land of cinnamon, said to be somewhere to the east. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-a…
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Now that the German bankers had control of Venezuela, it's time to find out what they did with it. This episode covers the succession of governors who were put in charge of the colony, and their largely unsuccessful expeditions into the interior Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Adv…
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What links an oil rich nation in the north of South America, the Italian city of Venice, and a German banking family? Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…
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Quesada and Belalcazar make their way from different directions, up into Central Colombia. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyPor Max Serjeant
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The land which connected the Spanish heartland in the Caribbean with Pizarro's new conquest in Peru - what we call Colombia today - was still unknown to the Spanish, and for all the riches of they had discovered in the Inca empire, it was here that the gold they craved was to be found in abundance. In this episode we look at the first attempts to m…
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Today we bring the series to a close. We deal with the final twists of Spanish factional politics, and tell the story of the Neo-Inca State. We also find out what happened to all the remaining characters. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com…
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With Manco retreating to Vilcabamba, the scene was set for Pizarro and Almagro to fight it out for control of Peru. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…
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When Almagro returned to Peru, he found a situation which offered both danger and opportunity. Would Manco's rebellion force him to put aside his rivalry with Pizarro, or would he seek to use it to his advantage? Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redci…
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De Almagro leaves Peru to attempt a conquest of his own Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyPor Max Serjeant
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The Spanish fight for their very survival in Cusco, and the Inca attacks spread out across the empire. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…
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Things were looking good for the Spanish, but they were about to face the biggest challenge yet of their campaign in Peru. Manco Inca was about to make the jump from puppet emperor to real one, and lead the Inca into rebellion Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries:…
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Having ensconced themselves in Cusco, the Spanish set about consolidating their position, and De Almagro went north to search for Quizquiz. Along the way he would have to deal with some unexpected interlopers. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircl…
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With the death of Atahualpa, the Inca empire needed a new leader, and Pizarro needed a way to maintain the power he had managed to win for himself. Everyone marched to Cusco to try and resolve the issue of who would control Peru. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiri…
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Atahualpa and Pizarro adjust to the situation they now find themselves in, and a strange state a stasis emerges as they plot their next moves Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…
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In today's episode I speak to Nicole von Germeten about her new book The Enlightened Patrolman. The Enlightened Patrolmen focuses on a proto-police force in Colonial Mexico City, and uses primary sources to examine both the day to day lives of these men, and the larger socio-political ideas behind their work. In the process it brings the streets of…
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