Historia Hispana
Spanish-speaking cultures span many centuries and many parts of the world. Below are links and brief information covering some historical highlights. Enjoy!
Los Españoles - Click here to view a colorful multimedia introduction to the cultures of Spain.
This work of art created by Spanish 3 student Elena Stamoulis in 2014 depicts multiple cultural symbols on a map of mainland Spain in the style of Spaniard Pablo Picasso. Elements include a flamenco dancer's flowing dress, traditional for the southern region of Andalucía. She clutches castanets made of ships which frequented the inland port city Sevilla, where conquistadors embarked on many a journey and deposited their spoils upon returning to the mother country. Spain's capital Madrid is surrounded by Christian crosses, showing the inseparable link between the Spanish government and the Catholic Church. These institutions worked hand in hand to conquer and convert--first Muslims, then Protestants, then Native Americans. The painting takes the form of a "toro," or bull, the iconic symbol of Spain.
Los Maya (1000 B.C.E. - 1400 C.E.)
The first major indigenous civilization in the Americas, the Maya achieved greatness in agriculture, architecture, and astronomy, and their legacy lives on today. Millions of modern day Maya continue speaking various Mayan languages and donning traditional attire in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Unfortunately these people have been systematically oppressed, notably Nobel Peace Prize recipient Rigoberta Menchú Tum. Only in the last century have academics begun to appreciate and examine the indigenous civilizations, but anyone from the Hispanic cultures will tell you readily that the Maya, Aztec, Inca, Guaraní, and many other native peoples are integral to understanding the present-day cultures of Latin America. CNN article on Mayan ruins.
Los Siglos de Oro (1500 - 1800)
The power of the Spanish empire rested in the gold and silver it extracted from the Americas, mostly from areas we now call Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. PBS' film "When Worlds Collide" quotes an historian as saying that you could build a bridge stretching from South America to Spain with the skeletons of exploited peoples who died mining these metals. The Spanish "doubloons" were in constant danger of becoming pirates' booty, and sometimes they were lost at sea. Even today treasure hunters search for these relics of the Spanish empire. Click here for a CNN article describing a recent legal battle over a find worth over $500 million.
Mexican-American War (1846-1848) -- Click here (PBS)
Despite calls to "Remember the Alamo" and the roles of famous Americans who died at that battle, such as Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, the Mexican-American War remains an often overlooked passage of United States history. Mexicans, however, generally remember the conflict very well, as it resulted in the loss of Mexican lands stretching from Texas to California. This massive expansion of American influence is well worth our attention, especially as we begin learning about perspectives of people from Spanish-speaking cultures.
Spanish-American War (1898) -- Click here (PBS)
Another short yet very important chapter in the histories of both the United States and Spanish-speaking cultures, the Spanish-American War was the nail in the coffin for Spain's once great empire. Only Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines remained as Spanish colonies. Control of these islands transferred to the United States. Meanwhile the future of Spain seemed more uncertain than ever, and politics within the mother country began a descent into civil war and totalitarianism. After decades of American influence--many say exploitation--disillusioned Cubans revolted with Fidel Castro. The Philippines gained independence following their strategic importance countering the Japanese in World War II. Puerto Rico remains an American territory.
MVP - Roberto Clemente (puertorriqueño, 1934-1972)
This Puerto Rican became famous as a right fielder for Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates. Active in the American Civil Rights movement as well as various humanitarian efforts in Latin America, Clemente is noted not only for his achievements in sport but also for his pioneering role as a Latino working for recognition in the United States. In class we watch PBS' "American Experience" documentary of Clemente's life to make connections with Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month.
