Kristen is an editor specializing in Latin & South American History. She received her MA in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies from George Washington University, and a BA in Spanish and International Relations from Bucknell University. After receiving her MA, Kristen began working on international drug policy for the Organization of American States. One of her greatest and most impractical ambitions is to learn Quechua.
Areas of Expertise
How Puerto Rico Became a US Territory With Millions of Citizens But No Equal Rights
A series of Supreme Court cases in the early 20th century determined Puerto Rico’s political fate as an unincorporated territory.
Why Have So Many Self-Coups Occurred in Latin America? The Troubling History of Autogolpe
Countries in Latin America have grappled with the challenge of self-coups since independence, continuing into the 21st century.
The Inca Historian Spain Tried to Silence
Among Peru’s first mestizos, “El Inca” Garcilaso de la Vega wrote one of the most thorough and impactful pre-contact histories of the Inca Empire.
What Is an “Autogolpe” (Self-Coup) and Why Are They More Successful Than Normal Coups?
An autogolpe, or “self-coup,” occurs when a leader who came to power legitimately overthrows their own government to perpetuate themselves in or consolidate power.
The Little-Known Peruvian Island Where Only the Men Knit
Home to just a few thousand people, Taquile boasts an ancient textile tradition with a unique twist: only the men knit.
How US Women Won the Right to Vote With the Nineteenth Amendment
The 19th Amendment declares that the right to vote “shall not be denied or abridged … on account of sex.” How did women achieve this historic milestone?
How and When Did Ancient Americans Celebrate the New Year?
Though various “new year” celebrations occurred within the Inca, Aztec, and Maya civilizations, their exact dates are challenging to determine.
5 Inca, Aztec, and Maya Festivals Still Celebrated Today
Though often intertwined with modern Christian holidays, many Inca, Aztec, and Maya festivals are still celebrated today.
The Origins of the Mapuche, Chile’s Largest Indigenous Group
An indigenous culture that once occupied southern South America, the Mapuche resisted Spanish colonization for over a century before being conquered by the independent Chilean state.
The Story of the Nicaraguan Revolution & Counterrevolution
The Somoza family ruled Nicaragua for decades until a revolution toppled their regime in 1979. But the victorious Sandinistas quickly faced a powerful new enemy.
El Salvador’s Civil War Explained (Background & History)
Between 1980 and 1992, a civil war raged in El Salvador. Who were the key players, and what were they fighting for—or against?
The Revolutionary With an Irish Name That Shaped Chile
Chilean independence was won by Bernardo O’Higgins, a man with a distinctly Irish last name.