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Independence Narratives, Past and Present
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I found this reading to be very interesting as I come from the Latin American culture but don’t know much about how its history has shaped it. At the beginning of the reading, I was able to clearly understand the “fragmented consciousness” that is described in Mexico City where the wealth gap is very much […] read full post >>
Latin America since independence
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It is quite clear that each country in Latin America was affected differently by European Colonialism. These differences have their origins in pre-Colonial civilization where their history as well as the circumstances of colonial rule. For example, the text states that the indigenous people of the Andes preferred Spanish rule because it protected their rights to land and privacies. On the other hand the urban liberals were fighting for independence from the foreign control (the Spanish), as they desired autonomous government. Given these differences it is amazing that figures such as Simón Bolivar were able to evaluate these unique histories and fight for an American Independence. I was actually very surprised to read that the Bolivarian Dream was one in which entailed a dictator like presidency. Perhaps I have misinterpreted the text but it seems as though, from all of his travels and historical gatherings, he would have wanted the opposite. Having seen the singularity of each region’s politics and society, it seems that each country would need a specific rule. However, with Bolivar’s understanding he would have been a proper candidate, or at least that is what I am gathering form the Letters from Jaimaica.
Latin American Slavery during the colonial era is a grand indicator to the political differences within each country. For instance, the slave industry in Brazil maintained the economy and even the freed people saw this, for Brazil was one of the last, if not THE last country to abolish slavery in 1888. Haiti however was the first to abolish slavery in the 1793; it took Brazil nearly a century after the Haitians. This was not included in the text but I would like to mention Quilombo, the Brazillian Maroons, the runaway slave communities which were founded during this time deep within the amazon. These communities were not only composed of runaway slaves but of dutch and Portuguese whom were rejected from their races as well.
I am a bit confused on whether or not Bolivar was a Criollo? He certainly considered himself American, and fought for independence but was he benefiting from the Bourbon rulership? Or was it the criollos that started the revolution?
read full post >>Latin America since independence
Posted by: feedwordpress
It is quite clear that each country in Latin America was affected differently by European Colonialism. These differences have their origins in pre-Colonial civilization where their history as well as the circumstances of colonial rule. For example, the text states that the indigenous people of the Andes preferred Spanish rule because it protected their rights to land and privacies. On the other hand the urban liberals were fighting for independence from the foreign control (the Spanish), as they desired autonomous government. Given these differences it is amazing that figures such as Simón Bolivar were able to evaluate these unique histories and fight for an American Independence. I was actually very surprised to read that the Bolivarian Dream was one in which entailed a dictator like presidency. Perhaps I have misinterpreted the text but it seems as though, from all of his travels and historical gatherings, he would have wanted the opposite. Having seen the singularity of each region’s politics and society, it seems that each country would need a specific rule. However, with Bolivar’s understanding he would have been a proper candidate, or at least that is what I am gathering form the Letters from Jaimaica.
Latin American Slavery during the colonial era is a grand indicator to the political differences within each country. For instance, the slave industry in Brazil maintained the economy and even the freed people saw this, for Brazil was one of the last, if not THE last country to abolish slavery in 1888. Haiti however was the first to abolish slavery in the 1793; it took Brazil nearly a century after the Haitians. This was not included in the text but I would like to mention Quilombo, the Brazillian Maroons, the runaway slave communities which were founded during this time deep within the amazon. These communities were not only composed of runaway slaves but of dutch and Portuguese whom were rejected from their races as well.
I am a bit confused on whether or not Bolivar was a Criollo? He certainly considered himself American, and fought for independence but was he benefiting from the Bourbon rulership? Or was it the criollos that started the revolution?
read full post >>Dawson, Intro and Chapter One
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As a reader and as someone who is relatively un-knowledgable about the history and culture of Latin America, this weeks reading provided a fascinating insight into the history of Latin America and where it has gone today. I found the that history itsel... read full post >>
Dawson, Intro and Chapter One
Posted by: feedwordpress
As a reader and as someone who is relatively un-knowledgable about the history and culture of Latin America, this weeks reading provided a fascinating insight into the history of Latin America and where it has gone today. I found the that history itsel... read full post >>
“The spirit of the government must be the spirit of the country.”
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The independence of countries in Latin-America was an ongoing process. Maybe that would be the easiest way how to describe this rather complex issue of finding a way to construct a country, nation and fight for freedom from power of … Continue reading →
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read full post >>Latin America Since Independence. Introduction & Chapter One
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In this weeks readings I found the authors introduction almost more interesting than the first chapter. The reason for this is in how history is described. The author argues that history is fragmented. A series of interconnected stories and tales from ... read full post >>
Latin America Since Independence. Introduction & Chapter One
Posted by: feedwordpress
In this weeks readings I found the authors introduction almost more interesting than the first chapter. The reason for this is in how history is described. The author argues that history is fragmented. A series of interconnected stories and tales from ... read full post >>
Latin America Since Independence. Introduction & Chapter One
Posted by: feedwordpress
In this weeks readings I found the authors introduction almost more interesting than the first chapter. The reason for this is in how history is described. The author argues that history is fragmented. A series of interconnected stories and tales from ... read full post >>
Latin American Studies – Krista Anderson 2014-09-21 23:36:00
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INDEPENDENCE NARRATIVES: PAST AND PRESENT
The first chapter of this textbook lays out a very important message that I did not completely realize before reading. That is that Latin American independence was not gained all at once but created in a long standing process, each region having its own struggle and solutions.
Having grown up in the United States, I learned about the American revolution much like Dawson describes with the “Shot Heard Round the World.” It has always given me an image of a unified front, a common history. Yet as brought up in the text, this was only freedoms for a small percent of the population which was over represented.
I really agree with what Michel-Rolph Trouillot says about history, that it is “not what happened, but is what is said about what happened.” It’s important that we don’t over simplify the history of Latin America, and that it is not told through only a small percentage of sources.
That said, the sources reviewed in this chapter, Simon Bolivar, Jose Marti, and Hugo Chavez, were from different backgrounds and time periods, but all shared a very common goal.
Simon Bolivar claimed Latin America to be stuck in “permanent infancy” due to a lack of legislation. He explains that this is because the citizens of Latin America have been enslaved into blindly following the rules and regulations of their Spanish conquerers, unable to put their own ideas and values into practice. I think that Bolivar is right in that Latin Americans have been forced into following so many other people’s rules, that they do not know where to begin in creating their own.
Jose Marti follows up this idea with stating that governing is an “art” that is learned through education. I think he brings up a strong point in explaining that a European education must fall second to American. That citizens must learn every detail of their own history and culture, instead of being washed out by facts about ancient Europe. This way, America can claim its own identity, and unite as a more common force. I agree with him in that people should put aside their small mindset and trivial issues in order to join hands and see the big picture.
Hugo Chavez discusses the “abyss” that begins to form between the North and the South, a more modern freedom that South America must fight for. I thought it was powerful how he began his speech with all of the universally great aspects of South America such as the beautiful, rich land. He seems to have done this to form a common ground and positive hope for listeners. I agree that Neo-liberalism has been the cause for broken economic promises. Innovation brings wealth to a very small percentage of the population, and the rest are under represented and part of a widespread, fast-growing poverty. He also references the importance of education, and the lack of education that citizens of South America have access to. He ends his speech with an idea that reminds me of what Trouillot says about history and sources. He essentially asks, “what if South America was the voice of the news?”
What if South America was given the chance to write its own history, and see it for what it really is? What if what is said about what happened is closer to what actually happened?
I think that all three leaders referenced in this chapter would hope for this, and the only way for this to become possible is for South American citizens to form a strong, unified front.
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