This class seeks to explore a wide range of perspectives on the colonial period in Latin America. This includes encounters of the Spanish and the Portuguese (as well as the Dutch) with indigenous populations in Mexico and South America. Readings include many documents produced during the time periods under study (aka “primary documents”). By analyzing these documents and doing close readings the student will gain a fuller sense of the mindset of the participants in each historical event and, ultimately, a fuller sense of the historical event itself.
Rachel Moore, Associate Professor, History, Clemson University
Images for this selection address European impressions of the New World in the earliest years of the Spanish encounters with Latin America. Most of these images were produced by those who had no direct contact with Latin America and thus are both fantastical and reflective of pre-contact mindsets in Europe.
Images for this selection examine in detail the precedents for the conquest of the New World set by the Muslim occupation of the Spanish peninsula from 711-1492 and the subsequent Spanish reconquest of the peninsula. These images include reference to popular figures, such as Santiago Matamoros, and building styles that would appear in Spain and Latin America as a result of the convivencia.
Images for this selection document how the Aztec and the Inka carried out conquest to expand their tributary empires before the arrival of the Europeans. These images, among them maps and images of indigenous gods, include reference to differing conventions among the Aztec and the Inka and the differing effects these convention had on the coherence of their empires.
Images for this selection examine the range of interactions that occurred during the earliest years of the Spanish occupation of Latin America. In addition to several maps, the selection includes images of Hernan Cortés, the head conquistador in New Spain, and his translator and mistress Malinche as well as Francisco Pizarro, the head conquistador in Peru, and his confrontation with Inka king Atahuallpa.
Images for this selection emphasize the other aspect of the Spanish occupation of Latin America: “the spiritual conquest.” These images include depictions of the Franciscans in the New World as well as the close relationship between the Habsburg monarchs and the Catholic Church.
This smaller collection of images documents the labor and financial obligations that indigenous peoples faced during the Spanish occupation of Latin America. Images of the Andean city of Potosí emphasize the importance of silver to the Spanish economy during the conquest period.
Images for this collection reflect the distinct history of the Portuguese in Latin America. These images include maps documenting Portuguese settlement along the coasts of Brazil (as opposed to the Spanish settlement of the interior of their territories) as well as the experience of African slaves in Brazil.
Images for the selection capture some of the opulent decoration and vivid (sometimes brutal) detail that characterized Baroque art and architecture in Latin America. The images in this selection showcase the opportunities for the coexistence of indigenous and European conventions of art provided by the Baroque style. They also reflect the ways in which Europeans used Baroque art to embody the power of both the Spanish empire and the Catholic church.
Images for this selection document the change of leadership in Spain from the Habsburg monarchy to the Bourbon monarchy. This small selection of images uses portraits of the royal families to explore how the Habsburg monarchy had fallen into decadence whereas the Bourbon monarchy represents a move towards diligent monitoring of activities in Spain’s colonies.
Images for this selection turn to the prominent community of creoles – those of pure Spanish blood born in Latin America – in the New World. Images include examples of the intellectual contributions of the creole community as well as their detractors. The Aztec goddess Coatlicue is depicted in this selection as an example used by creoles to indicate the rich classical heritage of Latin America.
Images for this selection examine both historical and contemporary depictions of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Early images reflect the appeal of the story of the apparition of the Virgin to indigenous communities in Mexico. Later images reflect the continuing appeal of the Virgin of Guadalupe as a national symbol.
Images in this selection document the independence movement in Mexico, beginning with the Hidalgo Revolt in 1810, and ending with the crowning of Agustín de Iturbide as Emperor.
Images in this selection document the independence movement in South America and Brazil. Images include reference to Simon Bolívar and Brazil’s distinct path to independence through a Portuguese monarch.
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