The Independence Era of Latin America
Between the years of 1807-1826, freedom from Iberian (Spain and Portugal) rulers came suddenly for those living on Latin American soil. Many reforms or laws imposed by Spanish government in the 1700's created a strained relationship between the colonial rulers and their subjects. Creoles, children of Spanish parents who were born in the Americas, felt these laws were unjust and undermined their wealth, political power and social status. The long-building tensions, the loosing of trade restrictions and the influence of the French and American Revolutions fueled the desire for independence. By 1826, all of Latin America, except the Spanish colonies of Cuba and Puerto Rico were free from Spanish and Portuguese rule.
This site provides references for the information stated in the article:
History of Latin America. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 17 October 2009. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/331694/Latin-America.
History of Latin America. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 17 October 2009. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/331694/Latin-America.
Although I don't generally take information found in Wikipedia as "gospel truth", there was information in this article that collaborated information found in other sources I used.
History of Latin America. Wikipedia. 12 October 2009. http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Latin_America.
History of Latin America. Wikipedia. 12 October 2009. http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Latin_America.
Latin American Independence Movements. YouTube. 17 October 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PmNPyLGE_o
Latin American Architecture
Architecture is a compelling art form. Whenever in a new city, I'm always drawn to old buildings and churches. I find beauty in the arches and geometric patterns found in the construction of each building. I am interested in learning more about the architectural styles found in Latin American buildings and monuments. The Conquest, Colonial and Independence eras in Latin American history are inter-related and this is clearly evident in the architectural styles found throughout Latin America. As a result, I will include concepts and examples for these eras.
Latin American Architecture after 1500 and to the early 1800's is called Ibero-American architecture after the Iberian colonists who build settlements in the Caribbean Islands. During the European conquest, architecture was a tool to be used for urban planning and many town planners used a grid or checkerboard plan for the layout of new towns and cities. According to Encarta, the on-line encyclopedia, the use of this type of layout was "intended to impose rational order and European administrative control on the new settlement". Each town featured a central plaza with an adjacent main church and governmental buildings with residences of the town's authorities facing the square. In port cities such as Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and Cartagena in Columbia, the streets connected the central plaza to the warehouses and docks of the port and to the surrounding military fortresses.
Many early colonial buildings resembled fortresses due to military engineers designing and building these early structures. The simple design and solid military function of these early buildings mirrored Spain's priorities for the colonies: the removal of native raw materials and the protection of trade.
Another priority of the conquerors was the conversion of the indigenous people to Christianity. They created a new type of architecture for this purpose: a large, open-aired sanctuary called an atrio, which was similar to those built for the Franciscan missionaries in Mexico in the 16th century. Each atrio included a large square courtyard with a large stone pavilion or posa, at each of the four corners. The local native people were forced to build these atrios and then were brought to them for conversion. The mission at Huejotzingo (1545) reflects this style of architecture typical to this period in rural areas.
However, in major cities, colonial architecture took on Spanish classical features. The first cathedral in the Americas was the Cathedral of Santo Domingo (1512-1541). This building features classical archways combined with elaborate ornamentation, which reflects the plateresque style of architecture that was then popular in Spain. Plateresque is a combination of Italian Renaissance architecture with the detailed carvings of the late Gothic influence.
In the 1600's, many Iberian artists were arriving in the colonies. These artists and architects took on native apprentices and trained them to faithfully follow European styles and techniques. Additionally, the Baroque style was introduced during this time and is depicted in the massive use of ornamentation.
It wasn't until the 1700's when church designs of Brazilian sculpture and architect Antonio Francisco Lisbôa (known as Aleijadino) provided examples of "cultural mixing" in Latin American architecture. The Church of São Francisco de Assís (1764-1774) in Ouro Prêto, Brazil reflects Aleijadinho's adaptation of traditional Portuguese themes and materials with his use of whitewash finishes, dark stone trim and graceful curves.
During the period of independence in Latin America, the Creole population became more assertive and competitive with Iberia resulting in architecture and decorative arts becoming more lavish, reflecting the dominance of French-inspired styles of art. The Churrigueresque style of architecture, a form of extravagant Baroque, developed from this time period and can be identified by the intricate and ornamental columns that are more decorative than structural.
Although most of Latin America achieved political independence by 1826, this independence did not bring forth any form of artistic independence due to Europe's economic influence that was still in effect in Latin America. From an architectural point of view, many of Latin America's great cities were just a western version of Paris with its broad streets, art museums and opera houses. The Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro is an example of the Parisian architectural styles and fashions of the time as a result of economic dependence on Europe.
Resources
Antigua City, Guatemala. YouTube. 13 October 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OkfUyLJ4xI
Antigua Guatemala. Jim Rogers Around the World Adventure. YouTube. 15 October 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBpKMd-Vzfs
Antigua Guatemala. Jim Rogers Around the World Adventure. YouTube. 15 October 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBpKMd-Vzfs
Bolivia - Sucre and Festival of Santa-Travel. Jim Rogers World Adventure. YouTube. 15 October 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXaQoeZevws
The following articles listed sources for the information noted in their articles which provided credibility to the site.
Latin America Architecture. Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2009. 14 October 2009. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555003/Latin_American_Architecture.html
Spanish Colonial Art and Architecture: Colonial Architecture in Central America. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. 1994, 2000-2006, on Infoplease. Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. 14 October 2009. http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0861254.html
Week 8 - Classmate Reviews
Gray researched the California Mission San Juan Capistrano. He wrote how the bells played an important part of the life in the mission. He was drawn to this specific mission because it has a unique look to it.
Kim researched Aruba because she has an interest in traveling there in the future. The native Arawak Indians were the first inhabitants and their population was wiped out due to diseases brought to their island by the European conquerors.
Maria researched the California Missions. She noted that the first mission was established in 1769 and the final California mission was built in 1823 and was only in operation for 11 years.
Melissa researched Mission San Fernando Rey de España. This mission was founded on “The Feast of the Birth of Mary” on September 8, 1797 by Father Fermín Lasuén and was the 17th California Mission.
Michael researched pirates. He found the topic of pirates and privatering in the Caribbean interesting because it seems to parallel the behavior of many countries in the world today. Fascinating topic.
Michele researched Palacio Virreinal de Diego Colon or Castle of Colon. This palace was built from 1510 to 1512 for Diego Colon, Son of Christopher Columbus.
Paul researched the conquest of Mexico and the Aztec empire. In his interesting fact #1, he wrote "before Cortez had ventured into Mexico to go after the Aztecs and their gold, he had all but one of his ships sunk as a challenge to see if any of his men were feeling weak and wanted to go back. This action made them all the more serious that if they chose to venture forward with him, they would have to be 100% committed and very brave." Talk about incentive!
Sara researched American Colonial architecture. She learned that the small windows in the Jamestown Colonial houses was due to the scarcity of glass.
Stacy wrote about Latin American colonial art. She wrote that "The colonial integration produced many conflicts which are depicted in the art as well."
Susan wrote how Spain took control of the Caribbean islands to pursue financial wealth through mining but came to realize that the islands were best for the production of sugar.
Gray researched the California Mission San Juan Capistrano. He wrote how the bells played an important part of the life in the mission. He was drawn to this specific mission because it has a unique look to it.
Kim researched Aruba because she has an interest in traveling there in the future. The native Arawak Indians were the first inhabitants and their population was wiped out due to diseases brought to their island by the European conquerors.
Maria researched the California Missions. She noted that the first mission was established in 1769 and the final California mission was built in 1823 and was only in operation for 11 years.
Melissa researched Mission San Fernando Rey de España. This mission was founded on “The Feast of the Birth of Mary” on September 8, 1797 by Father Fermín Lasuén and was the 17th California Mission.
Michael researched pirates. He found the topic of pirates and privatering in the Caribbean interesting because it seems to parallel the behavior of many countries in the world today. Fascinating topic.
Michele researched Palacio Virreinal de Diego Colon or Castle of Colon. This palace was built from 1510 to 1512 for Diego Colon, Son of Christopher Columbus.
Paul researched the conquest of Mexico and the Aztec empire. In his interesting fact #1, he wrote "before Cortez had ventured into Mexico to go after the Aztecs and their gold, he had all but one of his ships sunk as a challenge to see if any of his men were feeling weak and wanted to go back. This action made them all the more serious that if they chose to venture forward with him, they would have to be 100% committed and very brave." Talk about incentive!
Sara researched American Colonial architecture. She learned that the small windows in the Jamestown Colonial houses was due to the scarcity of glass.
Stacy wrote about Latin American colonial art. She wrote that "The colonial integration produced many conflicts which are depicted in the art as well."
Susan wrote how Spain took control of the Caribbean islands to pursue financial wealth through mining but came to realize that the islands were best for the production of sugar.
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