the same manner. Sarmiento is often portrayed as a leader who had no tolerance for and held in disdain the lower, uneducated classes. De Rosas is often portrayed as a despot who, though he positioned himself as a man of the people, used violence to quash any opposition. Bolivar, in contrast, is portrayed as a true liberal, believing in many democratic principles from limited government to property rights and freedom of religion.
Historical figures like Simon Bolivar and Emiliano Zapata have become icons and political battlefields representing various ideals in collective memory. Historical accuracy is very important in the treatment of such individuals, primarily because of their association with Latin American ideals and their popularity in collective public memory.
According to Burns and Charlip (2002), Simon Bolivar is the ôfather of Latin American independenceö (p. 79). A historical figure of virtually mythical status, BolivarÆs ideals of limited government, freedom of religion, free markets, and nationalism continue to resonate with Latin Americans. However, historical accuracy is important with respect to Bolivar to show that his enemies were often in the form of Latin American separatist groups who did not espouse his ideals. Therefore, opposition to Bolivar came from inside Latin America as well as from beyond its borders.
Emiliano Zapata is considered a national hero in Mexico, because of his revolution success against the dictator Porfirio Diaz. Zapa
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