Second assignment Modules 5 and 6 expose you to two very ✓ Solved

Modules 5 and 6 expose you to two very different Latin American societies, marked by different realities and outcomes. In module 5 lecture and materials, I presented the complicated past and context for Brazilian society from its very beginnings before Europeans arrived to the 19th Century. In module 6, I put together a few lectures that break down a few perspectives on the Mexican Revolution; the materials offer you a perspective on how the Mexican revolution exists beyond its historical moment and beyond its historical facts.

Choose one of the two prompts below:

Prompt 1: When Bartolomé de las Casas (see module 3 and 4) argued that indigenous people should not be enslaved, he did not make the same argument for people of African origin. The sin of slavery is a part of Latin American history - but it is unequally distributed across the continent. Brazil is - apart from the US - the largest slaveholding colonial territory - and even after independence from Portugal, it maintained those institutions until the late 19th C. Using the materials in the module, trace the origin and history of this sin in Brazil, and how Brazilian society grew around it and with it. This prompt is not asking you to comment on the horror of slavery - that is a given. What we are asking you to do is to use the materials in the module to tell us about Brazilian society - indigenous, African and European.

Prompt 2: The Mexican Revolution promised far more than it delivered, but it also remains an iconic revolutionary moment. Whether Mexico was fundamentally changed by the revolution or not is for historians to debate. The materials in this module allow you to explore the iconography of the revolution, and explore the fictional and journalistic portrayals of life in Mexico that justified the revolution, whatever its long term outcomes. Focus on the revolution as an ideal, and how the materials in the module help you build the ideal that the Mexican Revolution continues to inspire today.

Paper For Above Instructions

The study of Latin American history reveals a tapestry of complex social fabrics woven from diverse cultural threads. In examining two distinct societies—Brazil and Mexico—this paper will address the prompts provided regarding the effects of slavery in Brazil and the ideals embodied in the Mexican Revolution.

Prompt 1: Slavery in Brazil

Slavery in Brazil has its roots deep within the country's history, marking it as a significant chapter in the historical narrative of Latin America. As described in the lecture materials, European colonizers began the transatlantic slave trade in the early 16th century, bringing millions of African slaves to Brazil to work in plantations, particularly in the sugar industry (Klein, 2010). Importantly, Brazil outpaced other nations in the Americas in terms of slave importation and continued to utilize slavery until the late 19th century, even after gaining independence in 1822.

Bartolomé de las Casas, a Spanish Dominican friar, controversially argued for the rights of indigenous people while paradoxically neglecting the enslaved African population. His advocacy was significant in that it reflected a growing consciousness of human rights, albeit selectively (Hoffman, 2019). The discrepancy in his arguments raises questions about the underlying racial biases prevalent at the time and shows how the sin of slavery is distributed unequally across various groups in Latin America.

Brazilian society emerged as a direct consequence of its colonial past, wherein the intertwining of indigenous, African, and European cultures bred a unique and multicultural identity (Stein, 2015). The brutal conditions faced by enslaved Africans deeply influenced Brazilian society and economy, leading to the development of syncretic religions, music, and cultural expressions. For instance, Candomblé and samba are two vibrant components of Brazilian culture that can trace their origins back to African influences.

Furthermore, the legacy of slavery continues to shape contemporary Brazilian society, as racial inequalities persist alongside calls for social justice and reparative measures (Telles, 2004). In recognizing the complexities of this history, it becomes essential to contextualize the understanding of Brazil's social dynamics in terms of both historical growth and ongoing challenges.

Prompt 2: The Ideals of the Mexican Revolution

In contrast to the Brazilian narrative, the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) stands as an iconic symbol of change and struggle against oppression. The revolution promised social reforms and equality, but its actual outcomes often fell short of the ideals championed by its leaders (González, 2010). By exploring portrayals of the revolution in fictional and journalistic narratives, one can see how these narratives have shaped the Mexican national identity and broader perceptions of social change.

The revolution was, at its heart, an expression of a collective desire for a more equitable and just society. Intellectuals, artists, and politicians disseminated revolutionary ideals through various mediums, such as literature, art, and photography, highlighting the plight of the oppressed and the need for drastic societal changes (Womack, 1999). The iconographic representations—a powerful tool—allowed for the dramatization of revolutionary figures like Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, inspiring future generations to pursue social justice (Tatum, 2004).

Despite the inherent complexities and varying outcomes of the revolution, its ideals continue to resonate within contemporary Mexico. The legacy of the Mexican Revolution informs current socio-political movements advocating for indigenous rights, land reform, and social equality—demonstrating the revolution’s lasting impact on societal aspirations (Baker, 2014). The ideals crafted during the revolutionary period maintain their potency, serving as a backdrop for ongoing struggles against inequality.

Conclusion

In summary, both Brazil and Mexico present unique socio-historical landscapes that illustrate how colonial legacies have shaped contemporary realities. The pain of slavery in Brazil and the enduring ideals of the Mexican Revolution compel us to confront the complexities of Latin American history. Understanding these narratives allows for a deeper appreciation of how these societies continue to evolve while wrestling with their past and striving for a more equitable future.

References

• Baker, C. (2014). From Revolution to Reform: The Mexican Revolution Continues. Journal of Latin American Studies.
• González, A. (2010). The Mexican Revolution: A Short History 1910-1940. University of Texas Press.
• Hoffman, S. (2019). De las Casas and the Slave: A Duality of Advocacy. Latin American Perspectives.
• Klein, H. S. (2010). The Atlantic Slave Trade. Cambridge University Press.
• Stein, S. (2015). Brazil: A Cultural History. Oxford University Press.
• Tatum, E. (2004). The Iconography of the Mexican Revolution. Image and Text.
• Telles, E. E. (2004). Race in Another America: The Significance of Skin Color in Brazil. Princeton University Press.
• Womack, J. (1999). Revolutionary Mexico: The Coming and Process of the Mexican Revolution. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Vasquez, J. (2017). The Political Legacy of the Mexican Revolution. Latin American Politics & Society.
• Anderson, M. (2016). Cultural Transformations in Brazil: The Impact of African Heritage. Brazilian Cultural Studies.