NOTES on :EUROPEAN ROOTS OF AMERICAN CULTURE
Begins with my own, (American Studies) and our nation's education.
years of study, led by 20 years of different type of study
Seen only from the inside out
Idea of uniqueness
Mistakes--such as multiculturalism, isolationism, (anecdote about Kyle and map of Euope --more than 25 countries-- in school)
My students always ask: WHY haven't we heard this before?? And why do my foreign students actually make better grades in AM. History than do natives?
Then also the BIAS against Colonial History....
a. how we divide our history
b. Can we teach WWII even now?
THREE AREAS: Spain in the New World, England, and the West Indies.
SPAIN-- after all, it was the FIRST (not forgetting the Basques, St.
Brendan, and the Norse Vikings)
SPAIN--almost invisible to Americans--because we see Hispanic culture through the lens of Latin America. We do not teach Castilano in our schools, we teach Spanish, a language NOT spoken in Spain.
Also, possibly by Franco's regime in the modern era--counteracted by the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
SPAIN's position in historical terms--Mediterranean, Atlantic -as far West as Ireland//Europe, Africa -8 miles away. This is why Spain becomes the connector between the New World and the ancient world of Greece, Rome and later Islam.)
Size: second only to France, mountainous second only to Switzerland
Arid, sparse, Castille looks a great deal like New Mexico
Also urban
Explain--geo/political position of Portugal and Spain (as gateway to the Atlantic)
Empetus for exploration comes from here--and it's the vehi...
... middle of paper ...
... on hiding from Spaniards--
at Jamestown (Lost colony of Roanoke isolated because of the Spanish Armada) in South Carolina, founding of Georgia, history of Florida (Andrew Jackson, etc.)
Most important aspects for the history of the United States--
The Spanish laid a foundation that has grown from THE INITIAL EUROPEAN COLONIZER in the New World to the survival and now proliferation of hispanic culture in the United States in the 21st century. (Statistics about Tarrytown school district, Brewster population, etc.
Given our mutual history in North America, and our continuing symbiotic relationship, it is not wise for us to be antagonists. (drugs--the supply, we demand)
Legal and Illegal immigration to the US today, based primarily on economic factors established by the Spanish years ago--a hugh divergence between rich and poor.
American culture and most of the things that people do, see, and think wouldn’t be the way they are if it weren't for the Romans and what they created and accomplished as an ancient empire. In ancient Rome, in their time of expansion and flourish were able to create and build so much technology and ideas that helped build their empire and create a unique image of what they are. These in turn spread with some being so groundbreaking that it they are still used commonly and frequently and others becoming the inspiration and basis of even more achievements The Roman Empire is the most influential empire to have impacted U.S. culture due to their achievements such as spread of Christianity, the creation of the Latin language, and the ideas justice.
The Spanish began their movement to Southwest America in the late sixteenth century. From that point on, their influence both on the Native Americans and the environment was extraordinaire. The goal of the Spaniards with regards to the Native Americans was to transform them “into tax-paying Christians.” This is in contrast to the idea that their goal was to eradicate the Indians form the Americas. Consequently, the Spaniards took many Indians so that they may plant their religion in the Natives and to use them as cheap labor. This led many Indians to learn the customs and language of the Spaniards so they could to be able to thrive in the Spanish culture. Thus, some Natives acquired Spanish, which was the main source of their Hispanicization; this was the notion of Indians becoming encompassed by the Spanish society. Furthermore, Indians gradually learned skills, obtained land, and sometimes found Hispanic spouses, thus furthering their Hispanicization. They now began to live in a Spanish manner and blend into the bottom of the Spanish societal ladder. This “acculturation” of the Native Americans was in contrast to the models of early English colonization. Spanish goals and plans sought to involve the Indians so that they may live in their society even if at the lower end of it’s ladder. English colonies viewed the Natives as savages and looked to them for slave labor or to rape their women. They did not plan to take the Indians into their society as the Spaniards did so throughout this era.
The Spanish and English cultures were scarcely similar and notably different because of the interaction with indigenous people and the timing in which the interactions occurred. The Spanish and English were very different in how they interacted with the indigenous people. The Spanish main reason for coming to North America was to spread Catholicism. In the Catholic church if two people were both Catholic then the two people would receive the sacrament of marriage. After marriage the two would create a Catholic of their own. This had created 5 new races of people. The races of humanity was then looked at as social classes. The highest social class was a full white European, then a mestizos, which was a someone who was European and an Indian, followed by Indians, African slaves, and lastly a Zambos,
...o the discovery of America. The New World brought great wealth to Spain and helped the Spanish government, economy and society.
Colonization of the Americas was done by both the Spanish and English in the late 1400s to late 1500s respectively. They had quite a few similarities such as the hardships they encountered in their homelands that embarked them on their journeys to explore and even, in some ways, their rule over the new land had some likeness as well. The differences between them lie in the specifics of their exploration and their relationship with the Indian groups who already inhabited the space they took over. Even though each group had different motives and goals for their expedition, it is evident that both groups had their share of major conflicts with the native peoples and defining characteristics of their societies.
...oke Spanish, many of them have yet to assimilate and learned English. They move their for employment opportunities because of the many Spanish speaking business owners. Living in Washington heights for many was a way to preserve their culture it is a place that as you walk along the street you here people speaking Spanish, you here people in their cars and businesses listening to their native music the merengue. Many of them attend Catholic Churches that offer mass in Spanish. Many business also had religious shrines that a business owner explained to us that it is for good luck and protection from misfortune. Many of the businesses advertised in Spanish and many of the products they carry are geared towards Latino subcultures they sell many specialty item that are imported from their native land that is not available in major retail stores. Authentic cultural food
Folklores are stories that have been through many time periods. Folklore include Legends, Myths, and Fairy Tales. Legends are traditional tales handed down from earlier times and believed to have a historical basis. Myths are ancient stories dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes. Fairy Tales are fantasy tales with legendary being and creators.
The imperialist spirit of the United States was inherited from England after the U.S. broke away from its mother country in 1775. The young country wanted to spread its ways of living across its landscape, creating defined boarders on both sides that separated it from its English predecessors. Thus America’s New Frontier was born. America built up its imperialistic nature throughout the 19th century and on into the 20th century, flexing its muscles and establishing itself as a new world superpower. The modern United States no longer finds land to claim, but instead is involved with a Cultural Imperialism, which has affected how other countries around the world feel about the United States.
The Spanish Empire was the first European power to arrive in America, first arriving in mid-1510s. Mexico and Florida were the first areas of America to have been occupied and explored by Spain. Spain’s original intentions in America, just like France and England, were to find resources and economic success. In Mexico, they discover precious metals, such as gold and silver. This was Spain’s main economic resource and became highly desired in Europe. However, instead of developing settlements and colonizing, like the Europe counterparts, they mostly build outposts for the conquistadores. After Spain secured their territory, Spaniard Priests and Missionaries were to America and began to work with the natives to convert to Catholicism and live a Catholic life style.
Our Hispanic population has given the United States many contributions to politics, economics, family traditions and bilingual advancement in the world. The world is a Mexican Americans, probably our best known and documented immigrant citizens. to The United States has made great strides in developing our culture and adding Rich history to our country. Economic contributions cannot be overlooked,while. being one of the least educated groups and most economically disadvantaged groups.
Since the beginning of early history, scholars have mourned young people’s absence of historical knowledge and advised that foolishness of the past denounces humanity into repeating the mistakes of the past. In today’s society, in the United States this dreadful outlook sparks a controversial debate about what major events, people and nations are necessary for teaching history students. Sam Wineburg argues that we are asking the wrong questions. Wineburg’s book proves his point by destroying the traditional
Immigration is the process of entry of individuals into a new country (23). Throughout past centuries, immigration has been a means of discovery and exploration of new lands. In today’s culture, immigration to the United States is an avenue for individuals who wish to start new lives and take advantage of the capitalistic, entrepreneurial system. People from many countries have migrated into the United States. Most recently, the migrants have come from Central and South American countries. These Latin American countries influence America’s society culturally and economically through their language, traditions, and workforce. From the 1990s to the present time, immigration from Latin American countries has more than doubled. Mexico is one of the leading providers of immigrants to the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, 16.3 percent of our nation’s population consists primarily of people with Hispanic or Latino background (4) (This percentage does not include illegal immigrants). By understanding the background and development of immigration, the effects of immigration on the economy and culture, as well as, the different perspectives of Americans on immigration, one can begin to grasp the overall significance that Latin American immigration is having on America’s infrastructure.
Spain is a country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula that includes 17 regions with diverse geography and cultures. It has many beautiful sights and buildings to see, but not as beautiful as the La Sagrada Familia. It is the most beautiful building I ever see in Barcelona. I still remember that hot, sweaty, I’m gonna die of heat stroke day.
Spain, the third largest country in Europe, has a strong history and diverse culture dating back to when the Iberians first inhabited the land. The country lies between the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean and the land ranges from mountains to meadows. Over hundreds of centuries, many different civilizations have inhabited the land influencing the people there today. From the Visigoths and Celts to the Romans of the Middle Ages, Spain has received a rich history and background. One of the strongest of its cultures is the food. All of these cultures brought a particular type of food and combined and blended with the food that exists there today. Spain is very popular for olives, vineyards, and citrus fruit. Another well-liked food is garlic, including varieties of peppers and spices. Once spice specifically—golden saffron—is essential in many recipes, including the Spanish Paella. There are many distinguished Spanish foods that encompass the daily life and culture of the country.
Second, Spanish opens a learner up to a new culture. Every language originates from a culture. It is a community that comes up with norms and ways of doing things and a mode of communication. Languages are built on cultures. Their articulation and vocabulary revolve around the culture of a people. Spanish is a language used most commonly in Spain and in Europe. With millions of native speakers, it makes it possible for learners to interact with a new culture altogether. Although dialects differ depending on the country, most dominant cu...