Ecuador may be small in relation to its South American neighbors,
but it has a long, rich history dating back to before the Inca Empire. Quito was
an important city to the Inca, and the people of Quito put up a most valiant
defense of their home against the Spanish invaders. Since the conquest, Ecuador
has been home to many notable figures, from heroine of independence Manuela
Saenz to Catholic zealot Gabriel Garcia Moreno. Check out a bit of history from
the Middle of the World!
1. Atahualpa, Last King of the Inca
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In 1532, Atahualpa defeated his brother Huascar in a bloody
civil war that left the mighty Inca Empire in ruins. Atahualpa had three mighty
armies commanded by skilled generals, the support of the northern half of the
Empire, and the key city of Cuzco had just fallen. As Atahualpa basked in his
victory and planned how to rule his Empire, he was unaware that a far greater
threat than Huascar was approaching from the west: Francisco Pizarro and 160
ruthless, greedy Spanish conquistadors
2. The Inca Civil War
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Some time between 1525 and 1527, the reigning Inca Huayna
Capac died: some believe of smallpox brought by the European invaders. Two of
his many sons began fighting over the Empire. In the south, Huascar controlled
the capital, Cuzco, and had the loyalty of most of the people. To the north,
Atahualpa controlled the city of Quito and had the loyalty of three massive
armies, all led by skilled generals. The war raged from 1527 to 1532, with
Atahualpa emerging victorious. His rule was destined to be short-lived, however,
as Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and his ruthless army would soon crush
the mighty Empire.
3. Diego de Almagro, Conquistador of the Inca
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When you hear about the conquest of the Inca, one name keeps
popping up: Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro didn't accomplish this feat on his own,
however. The name of Diego de Almagro is relatively unknown, but he was a very
important figure in the conquest, particularly the fight for Quito. Later, he
had a falling-out with Pizarro which led to a bloody civil war among the
victorious conquistadors which almost gave the Andes back to the
Inca.
4. Manuela Saenz, Heroine of Independence
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Manuela Saenz was a beautiful woman from an aristocratic Quito
family. She married well, moved to Lima and hosted fancy balls and parties. She
seemed destined to be one of many typical wealthy young ladies, but deep within
her burned the heart of a revolutionary. When South America began throwing off
the shackles of Spanish rule, she joined the fight, eventually rising to the
position of colonel in a cavalry brigade. She also became the lover of the
Liberator, Simon Bolivar, and saved his life on at least one occasion. Her
romantic life is the subject of a popular opera in Ecuador called Manuela and
Bolivar.
5. The Battle of Pichincha
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On May 24, 1822, royalist forces fighting under Melchor
Aymerich and revolutionaries fighting under General Antonio Jose de Sucre fought
on the muddy slopes of Pichincha volcano, within sight of the city of Quito.
Sucre's resounding victory at the Battle of Pichincha liberated present-day
Ecuador from the Spanish forever and cemented his reputation as one of the most
skilled revolutionary generals.
6. Gabriel Garcia Moreno, Ecuador's Catholic Crusader
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Gabriel Garcia Moreno served twice as Ecuador's President,
from 1860 to 1865 and again from 1869 to 1875. In the years in-between he
effectively ruled through puppet presidents. A fervent Catholic, Garcia Moreno
believed that Ecuador's destiny was closely tied to that of the Catholic church,
and he cultivated close ties to Rome - too close, according to many. Garcia
Moreno put the church in charge of education and gave state funds to Rome. He
even had Congress formally dedicate the Republic of Ecuador to "The Sacred Heart
of Jesus Christ." In spite of his considerable accomplishments, many Ecuadorians
despised him, and when he refused to leave in 1875 when his term ended he was
assassinated in the street in Quito.
