INDIGENISMO

movement in Latin America advocating a dominant social and political role for Indians in countries in which 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 Lzaro Crdenas (193440), when serious efforts were made to reconstitute the nation according to its Indian heritage. In Peru, where the movement is called Aprismo, its members have proposed that Latin America be renamed Indo-America.