Important Figures in Peru
Mateo Pumacahua
Born: September 21, 1740
Mateo Pumacahua was a Peruvian revolutionary. He led the Cuzco Revolution of 1814. Pumacahua was a member of the Inca nobility, and of Ayarmaca descent. He was the cacique, or chief of the tribe, of the Chinchero. He served as an interim president of the Audiencia of Cuzco, and a brigadier of the militia of the Viceroyalty of Peru. As a military leader, he helped defeat the rebel army of Túpac Amaru II. Decades later, Pumacahua led indigenous militias in the expeditions sent against the junta of La Paz in Upper Peru by Viceroy José Fernando de Abascal during 1811, despite being in his seventies. On March 11, 1815, Pumacahua and his troops were defeated at battle of Umachiri. He was then captured and executed in May by the royal army.
Mateo Pumacahua was a Peruvian revolutionary. He led the Cuzco Revolution of 1814. Pumacahua was a member of the Inca nobility, and of Ayarmaca descent. He was the cacique, or chief of the tribe, of the Chinchero. He served as an interim president of the Audiencia of Cuzco, and a brigadier of the militia of the Viceroyalty of Peru. As a military leader, he helped defeat the rebel army of Túpac Amaru II. Decades later, Pumacahua led indigenous militias in the expeditions sent against the junta of La Paz in Upper Peru by Viceroy José Fernando de Abascal during 1811, despite being in his seventies. On March 11, 1815, Pumacahua and his troops were defeated at battle of Umachiri. He was then captured and executed in May by the royal army.
Tupac Amaru II
Born: March 19, 1742, Cusco Region
Tupac Amaru II was born in Cuzco, Peru to a Spanish father and Incan mother. Tupac Amaru II's real name is Jose Gabriel Condorcanqui (1742-1781). He later renamed himself, claiming to be the ancestor of the last Incan Emperor, Tupac Amaru. When he was ten years old, he went to Cuzco and studied in the Jesuit College of San Franciso de Borja. He also traveled extensively, and was in touch with the people and conditions in all parts of Peru. As a result of his travel and studies, he became an educated man who had a passion for bringing about justice and reform. He was the leader of the largest Native American revolt in the Americas. He was frustrated by the treatment and conditions the Indians received from the Spaniards, and started a rebellion. Tupac Amaru was captured in May of 1781. Sadly, he had to witness the execution of his wife, oldest son, an uncle, and some of his captains before his own death.
Tupac Amaru II was born in Cuzco, Peru to a Spanish father and Incan mother. Tupac Amaru II's real name is Jose Gabriel Condorcanqui (1742-1781). He later renamed himself, claiming to be the ancestor of the last Incan Emperor, Tupac Amaru. When he was ten years old, he went to Cuzco and studied in the Jesuit College of San Franciso de Borja. He also traveled extensively, and was in touch with the people and conditions in all parts of Peru. As a result of his travel and studies, he became an educated man who had a passion for bringing about justice and reform. He was the leader of the largest Native American revolt in the Americas. He was frustrated by the treatment and conditions the Indians received from the Spaniards, and started a rebellion. Tupac Amaru was captured in May of 1781. Sadly, he had to witness the execution of his wife, oldest son, an uncle, and some of his captains before his own death.
Rose of Lima
Born: April 20, 1586 at Lima, Peru
Rose of Lima was the first person born in the Americas to be canonized by the Catholic Church upon her death. When she was a young child, her face had been transformed by a mystical rose. As a result of this, at her confirmation in 1597, she changed her name to Rose. Because of her devotion to Jesus, she took a vow of virginity, fasted three times a day, and prayed for hours a day. She took care of the Indians and slaves, and rumors suggest she had healed many diseases of sick people. Saint Rose sold embroidery and raised vegetables during the day to help support her family through hardships. She also spoke up about how the Spanish conquerors treated native peoples, and talked about the harsh difficulties these people faced. As a result of her actions, she was declared patroness of South America and the Philippines in 1671. Her feast is celebrated on August 23rd. Altogether, Saint Rose of Lima was a major influence because of her exquisite beauty. She fed and healed the poor, homeless children, and foreigners.
Rose of Lima was the first person born in the Americas to be canonized by the Catholic Church upon her death. When she was a young child, her face had been transformed by a mystical rose. As a result of this, at her confirmation in 1597, she changed her name to Rose. Because of her devotion to Jesus, she took a vow of virginity, fasted three times a day, and prayed for hours a day. She took care of the Indians and slaves, and rumors suggest she had healed many diseases of sick people. Saint Rose sold embroidery and raised vegetables during the day to help support her family through hardships. She also spoke up about how the Spanish conquerors treated native peoples, and talked about the harsh difficulties these people faced. As a result of her actions, she was declared patroness of South America and the Philippines in 1671. Her feast is celebrated on August 23rd. Altogether, Saint Rose of Lima was a major influence because of her exquisite beauty. She fed and healed the poor, homeless children, and foreigners.
Alberto Fujimori
Born: 28 July 1938, in Miraflores (a district of Lima)
Alberto Fujimori was the President of Peru serving his term from 1990 to 2000. He was criticized for his "dictator" way of ruling the country (supposedly started in 1992). Due to this, he was prosecuted for human rights violations. One of Fujimori's greatest beneficial achievements to the country was his belief of Fujimorism, which supported anti communistic, and talked about terrorism. He departed to Japan in 2000, where he quickly tried to abdicate his presidency during a corruption scandal. Fujimori was finally sentenced for criminal charges in Peru in September 2007 In July 2009; Fujimori was sentenced for 7½ years in prison due to the illegal sharing of 15 million dollars from the Peruvian treasury to Vladimiro Montesinos. Two months, he was found guilty and was sentenced for another 6 years. The Japanese government protected him from further Peruvian persecution. Under Peruvian law all the sentences must run concurrently, with a maximum length of imprisonment of 25 years.
Alberto Fujimori was the President of Peru serving his term from 1990 to 2000. He was criticized for his "dictator" way of ruling the country (supposedly started in 1992). Due to this, he was prosecuted for human rights violations. One of Fujimori's greatest beneficial achievements to the country was his belief of Fujimorism, which supported anti communistic, and talked about terrorism. He departed to Japan in 2000, where he quickly tried to abdicate his presidency during a corruption scandal. Fujimori was finally sentenced for criminal charges in Peru in September 2007 In July 2009; Fujimori was sentenced for 7½ years in prison due to the illegal sharing of 15 million dollars from the Peruvian treasury to Vladimiro Montesinos. Two months, he was found guilty and was sentenced for another 6 years. The Japanese government protected him from further Peruvian persecution. Under Peruvian law all the sentences must run concurrently, with a maximum length of imprisonment of 25 years.
Alejandro Toledo
Born: March 28, 1945
Alejandro Toledo enrolled in and completed the BA program in economics and business administration. Later in his career, he attended Stanford University, earning a master's degree in Economics, and then earned a PhD in the Economics of Human Resources in 1993 at the Stanford University School of Education. Toledo entered politics in the 1995 election. However, Alberto Fujimori, the previous leader, was re-elected. Toledo ran again in the 2000 election, but Fujimori was elected again. Toledo worked as a consultant for a variety of international organizations, such as the United Nations, the International Labor Organization, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Toledo promised Peruvians higher wages, a fight against poverty, anti-corruption measures, higher pensions, more employment, military reform, development of tourism, and industrialization. On July 28, 2001, Toledo became the first South American President of indigenous descent to be democratically elected in five hundred years. Toledo’s campaign had fruitless efforts in the minds of his citizens. However he did benefit Peru in a few different ways. He increased the amount of paved roads, added more medical centers to the rural areas of Peru. Over 100,000 new homes were built for Peruvians who could not afford them.
Alejandro Toledo enrolled in and completed the BA program in economics and business administration. Later in his career, he attended Stanford University, earning a master's degree in Economics, and then earned a PhD in the Economics of Human Resources in 1993 at the Stanford University School of Education. Toledo entered politics in the 1995 election. However, Alberto Fujimori, the previous leader, was re-elected. Toledo ran again in the 2000 election, but Fujimori was elected again. Toledo worked as a consultant for a variety of international organizations, such as the United Nations, the International Labor Organization, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Toledo promised Peruvians higher wages, a fight against poverty, anti-corruption measures, higher pensions, more employment, military reform, development of tourism, and industrialization. On July 28, 2001, Toledo became the first South American President of indigenous descent to be democratically elected in five hundred years. Toledo’s campaign had fruitless efforts in the minds of his citizens. However he did benefit Peru in a few different ways. He increased the amount of paved roads, added more medical centers to the rural areas of Peru. Over 100,000 new homes were built for Peruvians who could not afford them.