Culture- William Walker Biography

William Walker was a famous American Filibuster. Filibusters were adventurers who attempted to invade Latin American countries in the 1800's. He was born in Tennesee in 1824. He got his medical degree very early but tried out many professions before becoming a politician and army leader. He declared himself the president of lower California and eventually of Nicaragua as well. Costa Rica became involved when they sent an army to Nicaragua out of concern that Walker would soon turn his attention to their country. This started a war between Walker’s “Immortals” and the Costa Rican army, though more soldiers died from disease than were killed in the war.
He launched several more invasions but was thwarted continually by the British Navy. Walker is also famous for his pro-slavery stance and his book, “The War in Nicaragua.” Though Walker was finally captured and executed in Honduras, he had the potential to alter history greatly. Had he been successful in invading the Central American countries, the tide of the civil war could have been changed since there would have been more support for slavery. In Costa Rica there is a national park and monument devoted to the battle during which Walker was driven from the country.