Week 7

Independence Era

The independence era of Latin America was from 1806-1825. When Spain’s empire in the New World crumbled, Latin America gained their independence from Spain. Initially, Spain was trying to rule Latin America in areas of politics, religion, education, and law. When Spain lost control of Latin America, each independent country was able to establish their own sovereignty with freedom to practice whatever religion they chose. With the removal of Spain from power, Latin America needed to rely on Great Britain, France, and the United States because of financial investments and industrialization. Latin American countries looked towards these Catholic European models, particularly France, as their cultural model to reshape their society.

Sources:
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/latinamericaindependence/The_History_of_Latin_America_the_Independence_Era_18071825.htm
http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h39la.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Latin_America

Fray Bartolome
I chose Fray Bartolome because I didn’t know who he was at all. Upon performing a quick search to see who he was, I was fascinated by the courage he had to fight against slavery of the natives of his country, and then against slavery completely.

1. Bartolome accompanied Columbus on his second voyage and brought back an Indian boy who he left to be his son’s servant. He also made an abstract and copy of the diary Christopher Columbus kept of his voyages.

2. Bartolome opposed the cruel and harsh punishment of the Native Americans and worked to cease the use of them as slaves. He did not suggest the use of African slaves, but he supporting the introduction of them as slaves in the Americas. After witnessing their maltreatment as well, Bartolome regretted initial support and eventually openly opposed slavery completely.

3. Bartolome was born in Seville, Spain sometime in the 1484. In 1502 he traveled to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) where he witnessed the brutalities against the Native population.


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartolom%C3%A9_de_las_Casas
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03397a.htm

Classmates

1. Alexandra is interested in music from different places all around the world.

2. Annacy learned that Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand were known as the Catholic King and Queen of Spain.

3. Cory chose missions because he feels that he has a responsibility to better understand these unique structures that rest right here in my backyard.

4. Jamie learned that Central Mexico’s population was 19 million before the Spaniards arrived, and then it dropped to an estimated 2 million.

5. Jessica learned that the first mission built in California was the mission of San Diego de Alcala, founded in July 16, 1769 by Junipero Serra.

6. Kevin found out that the Aztecs built the Tlatelolco in the early 1300 with the nearby capital of the Aztecs empire Tenochtitlan, which is now the heart of Mexico City, which the Spanish founded after they conquered the Aztecs in 1521.

7. Mandi found out that Junipero Serra walked over 200 miles to Mexico City where he worked at his first mission in the new world.

8. Mary said that there are 21 missions total along the Camino Real, or Royal Highway of California.

9. Paul learned that Hernan Cortez spent seven years establishing peace among the Indians of Mexico and developing mines and farmlands.

10. Robert found out that genetic studies on the skeletal remains of natives peoples suggest that very few died as a result of violence, but probably by disease.