Blogs

Of all the readings this week, I felt most captivated by Hugo Chávez’s speech. It brought to light the fact that despite their efforts, many Latin American countries have yet to truly break free from the lasting effects of colonialism. Chávez references Simón Bolívar and his “Letter from Jamaica”, a document that was written over […] read full post >>

I loved the readings this week. It seemed like Latin American countries were for the most part, itching for independence- but didn’t quite know how to go after it. Then, Simon Bolivar appears, and makes some big moves to start to gain and demand independence in Latin America. I think by Bolivar’s time, the lines […] read full post >>

One thing I absolutely agree with is the fact that independence cannot be told in general terms without silencing other valid ways of understanding it, or by losing the larger view of Latin America. I really appreciate the value that the author gives to each country’s independence, and his effort to compensate this dilemma. The lecture is […] read full post >>

Personally, I have never had the opportunity to learn about Latin American history, so reading about Bolivar and Martí has been a new eye-opened. I definitely can understand why many people would consider Bolivar to be a hero; as in many ways he did free many countries…however, he can also be viewed as a rebel. … More Week 4: Independence Narratives, Past and Present read full post >>

The passion Latin Americans felt toward achieving independence was well reflected in this weeks readings. As we learned from Bolivar, Marti and Chavez, the victims of European Colonialism had suffered for too long; the Latin American people have had their freedom, culture, history stripped away only to be replaced with a white-washed version of them. Bolivar, … Continue reading "Blog Post 4 – Independence Narratives" read full post >>

First of all, I enjoyed very much the readings of this week because I think politicians like Bolivar and also Hugo Chavez are very important if you want to understand what it is happening in South America in this precisely moment. I need to say that Bolivar was a great hero to me, he was […] read full post >>

“Independence Narratives, Past and Present” highlights the difficulties of narrating stories which are twisted together but yet so different. The part of the reading that I liked the most were the three documents. These documents offered three different perspectives on Simon Bolivar. His “Letter from Jamaica” offered his views on the independence movement in Venezuela.… read full post >>

First of all, I enjoyed very much the readings of this week because I think politicians like Bolivar and also Hugo Chavez are very important if you want to understand what it is happening in South America in this precisely moment. I need to say that Bolivar was a great hero to me, he was […] read full post >>

Dawson’s first chapter reinforces the point made in the introduction that Latin America is more of an idea than a physical place as the history of each country is unique and in many ways independent from one another. While most countries in North America were host to revolutions between 1790 and 1830, each has a […] read full post >>

After reading this weeks readings I can come to understand why Simón Bolívar can be seen as an important leader for being a part of the Latin American Independence. Although my information on him isn’t vast from what I have read so far. At only the age of 27 it was rather remarkable that he […] read full post >>