Two Different Sources, Two Different Perus

James Dancho

With Peruvian elections over one cannot help but wonder how the country of Peru came to be what we see today. The uninitiated may expect accounts of history to be consistent, but this is rarely the case even among canonical works. Two widely accepted sources, John Hemming’s book “The Conquest of the Inca” and Titu Cusi Yapanqui’s account “An Inca Account of the Conquest of Peru,” give very different readings ofPeruvian history. Hemmings, a leading scholar in Inca culture, sees the formation of the Kingdom of Peru quite differently from Cusi’s, son of an Inca ruler, and himself an eventual Inca ruler. Looking at the reasoning for Atahualpa’s capture, the capture/ treatment of Manco, and the perception of the Spaniards one is able to see distinct differences in both sources.

            Hemming’s book is a very detailed account of the conquest with much focus upon the civil war that consumed the country during the Spaniard’s first arrival. Hemming’s stance is skeptical of the Inca showing him in a more human light as opposed to the Cusi’s more heroic account. In regards to the capture of Atahualpa, Hemmings explained: “The Inca admitted the fate he had planned for the strangers. ‘He answered half smiling…he intended to capture the Governor but the reverse had happened.’” (Hemming 46) Using this example one can see that a reader would assume the Inca to be conniving but with Cusi’s account one is not so quick to attack the Inca. Cusi explains that Atahualpa took measures to understand these foreigners on his land. Spaniards came and took as they pleased bringing disease and having no respect for Inca customs. Pizarro and Atahualpa’s first encounter was not courtly with Atahualpa claiming, “Well, you do not have any regard for my gesture, and I do not have any regard for yours.” (Cusi 15) It seems one cannot be so quick to judge.

            Though Cusi’s account is a primary source it leaves a strong bias for the Incan people only recounting the evils done upon them by the Spaniards. Manco Inca, Cusi’s father, stated: “Do you think that it is possible that I am a dog or sheep? So, if I am not a dog nor any of these things I mentioned, what is your reasoning for treating me in this manner?” (Cusi 63) Strong tensions lie within Cusi’s account while Hemming’s work is more detached in his effort to understand the Spaniards while reasoning for their actions. Using theories to justify actions, Hemmings claimed: “A third theory was that Manco had determined to rebel and sent Paullu with instructions to annihilate Almagro’s army at the appropriate moment.” (Hemming 172)

            Even as early as 1532 both Spaniards and Inca alike carried distorted views of one another. Hemming’s book shows the Inca perceiving the Spaniards as gods but after some investigation coming to the conclusion that they were other worldly people but mortal and with that came the realization that they might of dominate these foreign invaders. Cusi explained: “The Tallanas said that they had seen some people arrive in their land who dressed very differently from our people; these new people seemed to be viracochas.”(Cusi 9)  On the other hand the Spaniards associated the Inca as a group of people similar to the Aztec since that was their only prior experience. Remembering those experiences helped the Spaniard’s take advantage of the Inca. Hemmings explains Atahualpa’s perception of the Spaniards: “Atahualpa was surprised to see no Spaniards. He later admitted he thought they must have hidden from fear at the sight of his magnificent army. “(Hemming 41)) Atahualpa’s capture happened regardless but the perceptions this great leader had upon first meeting the Spaniards altered history in favor of the conquistador.  

            Two different sources form the same period, different accounts, but additive when encountered together. The different perspectives challenge the reader to form her own synthesis. Understanding and reconciling these very different sources helps us to understand how Peru came to be. I highly recommended reading both sources, Hemming’s lengthy analysis, as well as  Cusi’s recounting. Both narratives deserve our attention.

Latitude 9N Welcomes It's Newest Contributor: James Dancho

James will be contributing context, analysis on Latin American history, and book reviews. While James has a broad expertise in Latin America his Mexico and Peru are close to his heart.

James R. Dancho

         James Dancho, was born July, 1990 in Connecticut. Growing up in Monroe, Connecticut James lived an average middle class life. James attended Joel Barlow High School in Redding, Connecticut playing football, basketball, and pursued his interest in history. Extensively reading historical material and analyzing historical sources while enjoying the basic idea of history being a story sparked the passion to learn, research, and retell historical events.

            By graduation no longer was James interested in just teaching history but became a part of it. September 2008 brought a new recruit to the United States Marine Corps. Serving as a Motor Transport operator James was able to travel throughout the United States engulfing himself in different cultures and perspectives. James was stationed for most of his duty in Miramar California where an interest in Spanish culture began. James, also, served one tour in Afghanistan where he realized his calling to serve another purpose to be that of a College professor. Enrolling into college night courses on base, offered by Central Texas College, James completed most of his general studies.

            By September 2012 James completed his service and begun his search for a university to attend. University of Missouri-St. Louis answered that call. James’s interest in Latin America history started here where James took all available courses offered in Latin America history. May 2016 James graduated Cum Laude receiving his B.A. in history.

            James is currently applying for grad school continuing in history but with an emphasis in Atlantic World history. Covering topics such as Native Americans, colonialism, and independence of American nations.

            

The Peru Show: Can The New Government Govern?

Hector Arocha:

The recent Peruvian elections delivered an interesting show for Peru watchers. Using the time honored political tactic of raising the spector of a troubled past and an uncertain future to scare voters and argue that change is the safe choice Mr. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski leveraged a tightly controlled party to eke out a marginal victory. It’s hard to miss that the PPK party shares Mr Kuczynski’s initials, if not his name.

For those not familiar with the rise of Kaczynski, Peru’s new president was born and raised in Lima Peru some 78 years ago. Educated in Philosophy, Economics, and Politics at Oxford. He also holds a Masters in Economics from Princeton. Kuczynski is clearly no intellectual slacker. He has held key positions in past Peruvian administrations as well as serving as the President of the Central Bank of Peru, the Secretary of Energy and Mining Industries, and the Secretary of Finances and Economics. 

Given such muscular technocratic credentials Kuczynski was a heavy weight contender. In the far corner we had the young Keiko Fujimori, daughter of the famous, some might say infamous, ill fated Alberto Fujimori, President of Peru from July 1998 until his flight from the country in November of 2000. Keiko was educated in Business Administration at Boston University and Columbia University collecting two MBAs. Her government experience includes the post of First Lady following her fathers turbulent divorce. The contestants’ similarities and differences added a level of definition to a close election.

Fujimori and Kuczynski are politically distinct to the point of likely irreconcilability. Political contests are not always a contest of friends, but they are nearly always a contest of interests. With new interests ascendant everything could change.

The new administration's challenge will be less one of economics, Peru has been enjoying steady growth for the last decade, than that of political reconciliation. Whether or not Kuczynski can build cross spectrum alliances and power sharing agreements will determine whether Peru’s intense politics are available to forward movement, or stuck in an ungovernable mire.

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Un resultado interesante de las elecciones Peruanas

Usando la vieja estrategia del miedo,ya sea del pasado un un possible futuro, el Sr Pedro Pablo Kuczynski y su partido politico el PPK Peruanos por el Cambio, se avisora como el ganador de esta disputada contienda.

Per quien es Kuczynski? Limeño de 78 años de edad, estudiante de Filosofia, Economia y Politica en Oxford, Inglaterra. Tambien realize un Post-grado en Economia en Princeton lo cual le califica como persona educada. Ocupo carteras ministeriales como Gerente general del Banco Central del Peru, Ministo de Energia y Minas, y tambien Ministro de Economia y Finanzas.

Ducho en material economica, gubernamental y obviamente, politica fue un serio contendiente.

En la otra acera tenemos a la joven Keiko Fujimori, licenciada en Administracion de Empresas por la Universidad de Boston con una maestria en la Universidad de Columbia en los Estados Unidos. Curiosamente, Keiko fue nombrada primera dama del Peru por su famoso padre, Alberto Fujimori, el cual ocupa por seis años.

Dos personas similares y diferentes que definieron los resultados de las presentes elecciones. 

Un Peru dividido en dos corrientes de pensamiento, las cuales se perciben irreconciliables en principio. Por supuesto, como en politica no existen amistades, existen intereses, todo pude cambiar. 

Sin embargo, se vislumbra ya un gobrierno dificil en lo politico, afortunadamente, no en lo economico, en donde Peru todavia mantiene una boanza regular que incluye crecimento economico.

El que viene, sera un periodo de intensas negociaciones politicas para ambos centros de poder y asi evitar la ingobernabilidad que desde ya se presenta como el mayor de los peligors que esta nacion suramericana enfrentara en los meses por venir.