Modern Latin America 2020

History 216

Student Research

Updated Research Topic

My project focuses on the impact of Diego Rivera paintings on Mexican identity following the Mexican Revolution. A few years ago, I had the opportunity of visiting an art exhibit in Philadelphia that was showing paintings and works of art from the time of the Mexican Revolution. I distinctly remember Diego Rivera’s paintings standing out the most due to their distinct style. Particularly, this project focuses in on the sociopolitical subject matter of his paintings. I am examining the ways communism, religion, and capitalism appear in Rivera’s art and how these concepts resonate with the working class of Mexico following the Revolution. I also want to look at how his use of murals through fresco painting impacted the lives of the working class in Mexico.

Folgarait, Leonard. 1998. Mural Painting and Social Revolution in Mexico, 1920-1940: Art of the New Order, Cambridge University Press.

            This article focuses on the mural paintings of Diego Rivera during a time of social revolution in Mexico. It looks at the relationship between Rivera and state-funded art programs. The authors ask to what degree these works of art should be considered political propaganda. This article derives political messages while also discussing state reactions to these paintings.

Folgarait, Leonard. 1991. “Revolution as Ritual: Diego Rivera’s National Palace Mural.” Oxford Art Journal, 14(1), pp. 18–33. 

            Rather than focusing on all of Rivera’s paintings, this article looks at the impact of murals in Mexico as a whole. This article first provides an in-depth analysis the subject matter of Rivera’s murals before introducing the context in which they were painted. The author discusses the context of the mural as the physical location of the mural as well as the time it was painted. Similar murals may have drastically different responses and interpretations based on where and when they were painted.

Ades, Dawn and McClean, Alison. 2009. Revolution on Paper: Mexican Prints 1910-1960. British Museum Press.

            While this article acknowledges the deep impact that the physical nature of murals had on Mexican society and identity during the 1920s, much of the article discusses how these murals are remembered today through prints. Before the popularization of the internet, the only way for people of the public to view these paintings was through the accessibility of reprints. This article is also helpful in that it provides more artistic context than the others. By discussing the works of Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros, I can gain a better understanding of what makes Rivera’s paintings so unique and impactful.

Goldman, Shifra M. Dimensions of the Americas: Art and Social Change in Latin America and the United States. University of Chicago Press, 1994.

            I want to use this book to take a more holistic approach to art during the post-revolution era in Mexico and Latin America. By looking at other forms of art in Latin America during this time, I can gain more knowledge into what makes Rivera’s paintings so popular, unique, and influential. This book also addresses issues that may not be as apparent to other authors. The book spends entire chapters addressing concepts such as gender or national identity. This is an important book that can provide context into what makes Rivera such an influential muralist.

Narrowed Research Topic: How did US and Russian foreign policy during the Cold War help shape Cuban national identity?

I want to look at the foreign policy pursued during the Cold War, specifically in the Caribbean, and see how it led to a growth in national identity for Cubans. On one side, there was mass aggression by the United States against Cuba through embargoes and the Bay of Pigs invasion, and on the other, Russia had a strong influence over Cuba at the time. I hypothesize that both the aggression of the United States combined with the Russians’ political control over Cuba will lead to the development of a strong Cuban identity. I believe those two factors, combined with Fidel Castro’s fiery leadership, is a recipe for a surge nationalism.

Primary Source:

Castro, Fidel. “Fidel Castro Denounces Aggressions Against Cuba.” The Black Scholar 8, no. 3 (1976): 10-17.

Secondary Sources:

Bain, Mervyn J. “Russia, Cuba and Colonial Legacies in the Twenty-First Century.” Journal of Transatlantic Studies 15 (2017): 1-17.

Dunne, Michael. “Perfect Failure: The USA, Cuba and they Bay of Pigs, 1961.” The Political Quarterly 82, no. 3 (2011): 448-458.

Fagen, Richard R. “Mass Mobilization in Cuba: The Symbolism of Struggle.” Journal of International Affairs 20, no. 2 (1966): 254-271.

LeoGrande, William M. “A Policy Long Past Its Expiration Date: US Economic Sanctions Against Cuba.” Social Research: An International Quarterly 82, no. 4 (2015): 939-966.

Narrowed Research Topic: The Figure of Hugo Chavez

My narrowed research topic is the philosophy of Hugo Chavez and how he cultivated the movement known as the Bolivarian Revolution, with him at the forefront. I am interested in what personal experiences shaped his mindset, as well as how it led him to view his own position of power as justified. I intend to focus on the figure of Chavez himself, as opposed to an analysis of his success (for example).

Primary Source:

Chavez, Hugo. “My First Life: Conversations with Ignacio Ramonet.” Translated by Ann Wright. Verso Books, Brooklyn, New York. 2016.

Secondary Sources:

Cannon, Barry. “Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution: Populism and Democracy in a Globalized Age.” Manchester University Press, New York City. 2009.

Ellner, Steve. “Hugo Chávez’s First Decade in Office: Breakthroughs and Shortcomings.” Latin American Perspectives, vol. 37, no. 1, 2010, pp. 77–96. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20684699. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.

Frajman, Eduardo. “Broadcasting Populist Leadership: Hugo Chávez and ‘Aló Presidente.’” Journal of Latin American Studies, vol. 46, no. 3, 2014, pp. 501–526., www.jstor.org/stable/24544171. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.\

Marsh, Hazel. “Alí Primera and Hugo Chávez in the 1990s: ‘Together in Hope and Song’”. In: Hugo Chávez, Alí Primera and Venezuela. Palgrave Studies in the History of Subcultures and Popular Music. Palgrave Macmillan, London. 2016, pp. 117-136.

Narrowed Research Focus: Chile’s Protests

How successful are mass-mobilized protests in changing public policy in Chile? 

I am going to focus on Chile’s modern mass mobilization movements. For example in 2006 and 2011, Chile experienced some of the largest social movements to address the growing economic inequality. These protests included the takeover of public schools, mass gathering of students and workers, and other forms of civil disobedience. The focus of my research will be based on how effective these mass-mobilization tactics at promoting any institutional changes in Chile for students and workers.

For my primary sources I am going to use: Nacional Records. Shock. YouTube.Com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=177-s44MSVQ. October 4, 2011. 3:04.

For my secondary sources I intend to use:
Gómez-Barris, Macarena. “Sounds Radical: Ana Tijoux, Student Protests, and Palestinian Solidarity.” In Beyond the Pink Tide: Art and Political Undercurrents in the Americas, 22-45. Oakland, California: University of California Press, 2018. Accessed February 17, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvq4bz72.6.

Su, Yen-Pin. “Anti-Government Protests in Democracies: A Test of Institutional Explanations.” Comparative Politics 47, no. 2 (2015): 149-67. Accessed February 17, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/43664137.

Pérez-Arredondo, Carolina. “Why Do They Protest?: The Discursive Construction of ‘Motive’ in Relation to the Chilean Student Movement in the National Alternative Press (2011–13).” In Discourses of Disorder: Riots, Strikes and Protests in the Media, edited by Hart Christopher and Kelsey Darren, 57-74. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2019. Accessed February 17, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctv7n0b0b.7.

“Chilean Women and Human Rights.” In Voices of Resistance: Testimonies of Cuban and Chilean Women, edited by Maloof Judy, 117-34. University Press of Kentucky, 1999. Accessed February 17, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt130hvk0.14.

Narrowed Research: The Casta System

For my research project, I want to look at the racial and social hierarchies or the casta system created by the Spanish in Latin America and the long term affects it had on Latin American countries. Racial hierarchies are a social construct created to make one group feel like they are naturally superior to another, creating more class distinctions and leaving some disenfranchised because of their skin color. The casta system in Latin America is particularly interesting because the hierarchy was very complex. There were indigenous peoples, Africans and Europeans and later mixed races living in Latin America creating multiple levels that are at times confusing. The Spanish in control did not just distinguish people based on their race but also where they were born making the casta system even more interesting. This system was damaging to many people and created issues far into the future. My research question is: “How did the casta system effect mobility and social status throughout Latin American history?”

Primary Sources

Casta Paintings- I need to find the exact source for this.

Secondary Sources

Bustamante, Adrian. 1991. “”the Matter was Never Resolved”: The “Casta” System in Colonial New Mexico, 1693-1823.” New Mexico Historical Review 66 (2) (Apr 01): 143. https://search.proquest.com/docview/1301803384?accountid=15131.

 Katzew, Ilona, John A. Farmer, Roberto Tejada, Miguel Falomir Faus, and Americas Society. Art Gallery. 1996. New World Orders: Casta Painting and Colonial Latin America. New York: Americas Society.

Stone, Samuel Z. 1992. The Heritage of the Conquistadors: Ruling Classes in Central America from the Conquest to the Sandinistas. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

Twinam, Ann, 1946. 2015. Purchasing Whiteness: Pardos, Mulattos, and the Quest for Social Mobility in the Spanish Indies. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.

Vinson, Ben, III. 2018. Before Mestizaje: The Frontiers of Race and Caste in Colonial Mexico. Vol. 105. New York, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press.

Student Research blog post revised

I have decided to look at indigenous women in Latin America. My research question is, “What does indigenous women activism look like?” It is significant because indigenous women have been extremely understudied and understudied, so I believe it is important to bring light to this topic. I’m thinking of doing a bit of a sampling of women for several reasons: there are not enough sources on just one or two women, and because there are multiple women working in the field, I believe it’s important to give multiple women credit (Obviously I can’t include everyone and I’ll have to be selective, but I’ll let my sources guide that). As I continue to research, I see there is a lot of diversity in indigenous women’s activism, so I want to showcase that diversity too. I’m keeping it broad as I continue to search for more materials (I’m currently waiting on some books from the library loan), especially primary sources and let that narrow my focus more. I think after completing numerous interviews for my I.S., I have a greater understanding and appreciation for the power of storytelling and having other people’s voices heard. My primary sources will be varied, from writing to interviews, news clips, speeches, etc. I am excited to dive into a new topic I have not researched previously, but a topic I find extremely important.

Primary sources:

Secondary sources:

Photo courtesy of https://nacla.org/article/indigenous-women%E2%80%99s-struggles-justice-latin-america-sidebar

Finalized Research Plan: Anglo Chilean influence in Valparaiso during 19th Century

Global economy has played a huge role in the 19th Century Latin America, as they overthrown the Spanish monarchy. Chile was liberated by Don José de San Martín in 1821 after declaring war on Sep 18 of 1810. After the independence war, Chile established foreign trade relations with multiple countries like other Latin American countries to develop their economy. During the 19th Century, the most important country that Chile established trade relations with was the Great Britain. As a result of trade relations, a costal city that is located in the Pacific coast Valparaiso became an immigrant and merchant based city. Valparaiso with a diverse background not only helped Chile progress, but also brought cultural and religious diversity to the city that carries until today.

Cerro Concepción, Valparaíso, Chile. A hill that has an Anglican church, Lutheran church and a German school.

During the 19th Century, as a result of Queen Victoria and her reforms, the Great Britain gained the most influence and power in the world. They established trade relations with multiple countries and colonies, as well as immigration to Latin America. The Great Britain dominated the Chilean international trade until the end of the 19th Century when the American influence was growing. Until today, there are 700,000 Anglo descendants (English, Welsh and Scottish) in Chile, Argentina and Brazil with Chile having the largest population. Most Anglo Chileans nowadays reside in the Valparaiso region as a result of their immigration from the 19th Century.

Trades with the Great Britain was growing because of the Victorian regime and the first Industrial Revolution. In 1825, 6.4 millions of trading goods arrived at the port of Valparaiso. In 1830, 10% out of 25, 000 residents were foreign-born. From 1810 to 1914, approximately 32,000 English people lived in Valparaiso. There were products like tea and steam engines. The monopoly model in Chile set up an “informal empire” for the British in the Southern cone. It was normal to see immigration advertisements of moving to Chile with benefits, as well as the British Consulate of Valparaiso updating visa policies.

The Anglo influence in Valparaiso brought diversity to the city while the majority of the immigrants resided in Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción. The British immigrants and merchants built up their community in the 19th Century, as they built their own English schools, churches, shops, houses, news press and costumes in Chile. Additionally, there are fire engines in Valparaiso with British models. The major English news sources in the 19th Century were Valparaiso and West Coast Mail, English Mercury and the Star of Chile that published international and local level news on a weekly basis. The Anglo immigrants and merchants established their own little community while keeping their cultural heritage on the other side of the world.

It is worth investigating the Anglo influence in Valparaiso, Chile in the 19th Century in terms of international trade, immigration and cultural influence. The research questions are: (1). What was the British motives of developing trade relations with Chile? Why did Chile want to build a major trade relations with the Great Britain at the start of 19th Century? (2). What were the intentions of settlements in Valparaiso? Was it for temporary stay or starting a new life in Chile? (3). How did the Anglo community develop and influence the Valparaiso region? (4). Were the Anglo Chileans integrated well with the community or not?

Possible resources:

Primary resources:

Anglophonechile. org

Valparaiso and West Coast Mail 1870-1872

English Mercury

The Star of Chile

Secondary sources:

Memoria Chilena. go.cl

Silva Castro, Raúl. Prensa y Periodismo en Chile (1812-1956). Ediciones de la Universidad de Chile.

Hayward, Jennifer & Prain Brice, Michelle. “The ‘woman question’ has even come up in Chile”: The Victorian Periodical Press in Valparaíso. NAVSA 2018.

Vargas Garcia, Eugénio ¿Imperio informal? La política británica hacia América Latina en el siglo XIX. Foro Internacional, vol. XLVI, núm. 2, abril-junio, 2006, pp. 353-385. El Colegio de México, A.C. Distrito Federal, México

Pinochet Valdivieso, Josefina. LA COLONIA BRITÁNICA EN VALPARAÍSO:
PERMANENCIA DE UNA IDENTIDAD COMUNITARIA EN EL SIGLO XX. Intus-Lergere Historia Vol 6 no.2. file:///Users/TongtongWu/Downloads/Dialnet-LaColoniaBritanicaEnValparaiso-4243318.pdf

Narrowed Research Post: Gender and Argentina’s Dirty War

My research question is: How did gendered violence in Argentina’s Dirty War lead to the development of the female-led Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo movement, and how has gender affected the way this movement has been perceived? This research is significant because the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo is still an active human rights and peace organization today, continuing to work on issues of justice and family reunification left over from the Dirty War. The family reunification issue is especially tied to gender-based violence during the conflict, so investigating this violence is important for understanding the origins of the Mothers’ movement and their continued activism today. I also hope to investigate how this female-led movement has been perceived by different groups such as the Argentine government, society, or the international community over time and how that has affected their work.

Primary Source:

Sternbach, Nancy Saporta, Zelia Brizeno, and Hebe de Bonafini. “Interview with Hebe De Bonafini: President of Las Madres De Plaza De Mayo.” Feminist Teacher 3, no. 1 (1987): 16–21.

Secondary Sources:

Actis Munú, Cristina Aldini, Liliana Gardella, Miriam Lewin, and Elisa Tokar. That Inferno: Conversations of Five Women Survivors of an Argentine Torture Camp. Translated by Gretta Siebentritt. Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 2006.

Bonner, Michelle D. Sustaining Human Rights: Women and Argentine Human Rights Organizations. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2007.

Bouvard, Marguerite Guzman. Revolutionizing Motherhood: The Mothers of the Plaza De Mayo. Lanham, MD: SR Books, 1994.

Burucua, Constanza. Confronting the “Dirty War” in Argentine Cinema, 1983-1993: Memory and Gender in Historical Representations. Suffolk, UK: Woodbridge, 2009.

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