You were to have read Colonial Foundations (Skidmore & Smith MLA) & Hispanic Background (Keen LAC). Skidmore was simply a foundation for the next few weeks, while Keen was our first jump into primary source interpretation, analysis & extrapolation/application. I really appreciate everyone who is giving me as much as they can – the stuff we have been doing now (& through Q1) lay a foundation upon which we build a bigger picture and awareness of not only Latin American history, but even the world in which we find ourselves today.
Regarding El Cid, you should have picked up the conflict of the Spanish Reconquista of the Iberian peninsula vs the Muslim Moors. The conflict was a political & religious affair, with Catholic Spain emerging as a unified entity – politically under the marriage of Ferdinand & Isabell, as well as spiritually under Catholic dogma. We also see how local leaders can interpret & apply their own rules (& ethos?) onto the regions under their direct control. El Cid was more fair than his contemporaries, but perhaps not as fair as we would expect from a person, especially today. It reminds us of the “Morality Through Time & Place” WIL. When conquering a territory, the vanquished could be treated with different levels of retribution: killing them, banishment, conversion or even taxation.
The next reading was about Ferdinand & Isabella. While you picked up on their characteristics (as presented by the Jesuit priest), you need to look at the question: Compare the descriptions of Ferdinand & Isabella. In this case, you should have picked up how Ferdinand was depicted as honorable, intelligent, kind, and skilled (& experienced?) in war. Meanwhile, while Isabella was described as educated, she was also presented as “modest in appearance” and educated, she was also jealous of her husband (for what we are never told). This is a clear “framing of the narrative y a (male) priest. In actuality, Isabella was the more powerful (more land & wealth) and certainly more decisive when it came to issuing orders and enforcing them. You’ll see how she was responsible for the cessation of native enslavement and was the true symbol of Spain (its positives and even many ills).
The Spanish Inquisition was a spiritual purging of Spain. Non-Catholics were exiled, converted, or killed. Many Jewish residents DID convert, but these conversos were never fully accepted into an integrated Spanish society. Anti-semitism runs deep, far, and has been around for, well, forever. Jewish people are blamed for the death of Jesus – even Jewish people today! It’s the “sins-of-the-father” philosophy that perpetuates hatred across time and place. These conversos never really had a chance to live and thrive within Spain proper, so many/most actually ventured to New Spain to not only seek wealth but opportunity – economic, social & political. While still loyal and subject to Spanish authority, they were now much further away, where the distinction between “true” Catholic vs a Converso was blurred – especially when so many indigenous peoples are being actively converted.
Our last one was the analysis of the Spanish Character – as presented by an Italian within the Spanish Court (govt). Remember that Italians were generally not fond of their Spanish overlords, but nevertheless respected their supremacy. It did NOT lead to actual respect as a people, however. Spaniards were stereotyped to be unedumacated (therefore unskilled), lazy, thieves and arrogant – which resulted in a nation that remained undeveloped. By the way, many of these same stereotypes played out during the Great Recession – Global Financial Crisis of 2008+. Let’s wait and see how they are depicted when we emerge from the current financial ruin – caused by the “China Virus” and/or foolishness on the part of political leaders and ignorant followers.
By the way, the exam will not go LIVE until you are scheduled to be in class (as stated in the directions).
Lastly - you NEED to have your camera ON during class! Dr. Palmer will be sending an email with the policy and expectations.
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