Indigenismo

Latin American movement pressing for a dominant social and political role for Indians in countries where they constitute a majority.

Its adherents draw a sharp distinction between Indians and people of European ancestry, who have dominated the Indian majorities since the 16th-century Spanish and Portuguese conquest. The movement became influential in Mexico with the revolution of 1910–20; it was particularly strong during the presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas (1934–40), who made serious efforts to reconstitute the country in accordance with its Indian heritage. In Peru it is associated with the APRA movement.

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▪ Latin American movement

      movement in Latin America (Latin America, history of) advocating a dominant social and political role for Indians in countries where they constitute a majority of the population. A sharp distinction is drawn by its members between Indians and Europeans, or those of European ancestry, who have dominated the Indian majorities since the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century. In Mexico, beginning with the Revolution of 1911, the movement became very influential, particularly during the presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas (Cárdenas, Lázaro) (1934–40), when serious efforts were made to reconstitute the nation according to its Indian heritage. In Peru the Aprista movement was strongly influenced by Indigenismo, and its members even proposed that Latin America be renamed Indo-America.

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