In this blog you are to comment on one or more of the assigned articles in relation with any of the topics touched on in the lecture PDFs every week. Your posts should be brief (150 words or the equivalent to 1 paragraph) and, most importantly, a reflection of your preparation for class.
I found the video about the discovery of a mass grave really interesting. The grave includes skeletons of Republicans who were shot by Franco followers around 1956. Families of these disappeared still have hope of finding their parents and burying them properly, to others this won't change anything since history cannot be changed.
Also the articles about the ETA, a militant organization aiming at freeing Basque, describes how they caused the death of 825 civilians in the past decade alone. This terrorist group was blamed for the madrid bombings in 2004 but al-Qaeda confirmed to be responsible for it.
In more recent decades of 1980s we see a new identity called La Movida which was born in Madrid and spread to other parts of Spain. This was a counter culture to Franco's dictatorship. This culture included extravagance, alcohol consumption, wearing excessive make-up etc.
Review questions: go over all the art movements in order and what era they are associated with draw a timeline with the important year we need to know (on study guide) and key figures associated with that era. Explain a little more "What paradoxical changes took place in Spain under Franco"'
Some of the articles for this week were a little too long but very interesting. It’s crazy to believe that two terrorist groups could be working together and specially to think of all the damage they can cause. The article about the bomb explosion at the train station was very sad because of all the people that died, but then again it was amazing because it showed how all Spaniards were trying to help the people that were injured by donating blood. Also the article about Spain winning the world cup was really cool and I can just imagine how much they partied when they won, I wish I would have been in Spain at the time the championship was going on, also it was good to see the Spaniards win because for once you could see all the Spanish people together celebrating even though their economy was really bad. The article about the bodies being found was pretty sad, it’s sad to know that there is thousands of bodies that don’t have a proper burial and that the relatives just want to give them the burial every man and woman deserve, what the other lady said that they should just leave it in the past and not unbury them I found really cruel, she probably says that because she didn’t loose anyone during the war.
Review question: What are the important dates we should remember?
Al Qaeda Claims Credit for Madrid Blasts & ETA Articles- The ETA (Basque militant group) is a major terrorist organization and has caused much trouble for the world. Peace talks have proved pointless and they have resorted back to violence. They were thought to have been responsible for the bombings and killings in Spain but Al Qaeda has claimed they did it. Several hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured. The war against terrorism still presses on and nations are doing everything in their power to fight it.
Exhuming Spain’s Civil War Mass Graves- One of the mass graves from the Spanish civil war was found containing Republicans shot and buried. 150 graves have been found in the last ten years and about 300 bodies were found in the burial site located. This is important for the families who have missing members while others disagree with it saying to leave the past in the past.
World Cup 2010- I remember watching the World Cup in 2010 and how globally popular it was. Spain took the cup and I can see why they are celebrating so much, it was a much needed morale boost for the country.
Review Questions- What are the major topics and issues that we should know for the final? Is the final going to be cumulative or mostly from this half of the quarter? What is the best method to study for the final?
This week I found the video Exhuming Spain’s Civil War Graves very interesting. We’ve learned about Franco’s regime and the repression experienced by many people who opposed his dictatorship. I know that this was a dark period in the history of Spain but it’s still shocking to me to see how people are against the exhuming of hundreds of graves of those who were killed during Franco’s dictatorship. I would think that exhuming the dead bodies would only serve as a healing process for the country as a whole, not only by those family members who lost their loved ones. To me it seems that people rather forget about the negative side effects of Franco’s regime instead of closing that period of time with a proper acceptance and solidarity. Once I read the article about La Movida Madrileña I understood why people diverged from the negativity of Franco’s regime and the human rights violations to the freedom gained after Franco’s death. It seems like it was better to enjoy the freedoms that had been denied under Franco rather than mourn the deaths and disappearance of hundreds of Republicans.
Review questions: What were the differences between the first and second republic? What role did the king have during Franco’s dictatorship?
I thought the concept of La Movida Madrilena was a fascinating topic for this week’s articles and discussion during lecture. The fascination stems from the paradoxical nature of this cultural movement that emerged at such at time immediately after Franco was in power. Franco supported unity of the entire country, firmly based in the notion of religion: Catholicism. Thus, it is somewhat ironic that a cultural movement like La Movida Madrilena came about; after all, this cultural shift is rooted in an “explosion of creativity” and “pent up yearnings for freedom” that resulted in more liberal approaches to art, sexuality, and nightlife. This equally ties to the idea that after Franco’s death in 1975, Spanish society as a whole was looking forward to catching up to other European countries in terms of modernization and democracy, despite the fragile state of the nation and the “delicate dictatorship that remained after Franco’s death.” It is clear that the country of Spain needed such a boost in flair and excitement, which could insert a degree of optimism in the country’s future as well as propel them away from their dark past under Franco.
Review Questions: What are the important things we have to know about each King, especially during the reign of the Hapsburgs? What role did the colonies in the US, Latin America play in the history of Spain? Why, after Franco won the Civil War, did Spain experience such a dark period in its history? Is it simply because those who held the ideals of the Republicans continued to be persecuted/killed/exiled?
Once more we have a variety of topics for this weeks blog. I was puzzled while reading the Fox News Report about the bombings in Madrid. What I believed was the astonishing part was the fact that the government had no idea who was in fact behind the bombings. Some say it was Al Qaeda, some say it was ETA, while others believe that it was a combination of both terrorist groups coming together against the Spanish government. Organizations blamed different people for personal gain. In the case of hte government we could see why they prefer to blame ETA as a threat to National Security because elections were coming up and ETA has a political point of view disagreeing with the party in power. As for the people who say it was Al Qaeda they too disagree with an alliance with the U.S against Al Qaeda. However although there appear to be a deeply divided country for various reasons, at the end of the day everyone unites when the Spanish soccer team wins the final match. I enjoyed reading this article because it gave its readers a sense of hope that all though there divisions within the country , there can also be something else (a passion for soccer) that can unite a deeply divided country. At least for one night Spaniards enjoyed their victory and shared that same feeling throughout all of the regions. Moreover I also liked the La movida Madrilena as a culture movement into a new Franco free era. The music, film, art, literature, and freedom to not be censored anymore contributed a lot into contemporary Spain. This movement brought growth into a country that was stuck in the past.
This week all of the articles were interesting. The article/video that really captured my attention is “Exhuming Spain’s Civil War Graves”. Due to the 1936 civil war that resulted from the tensions between the Nationalists under Franco and the Republicans, many people were killed and not properly buried in a tomb. Even after the civil war had ended, the dictatorship of Franco led a dark period of history for Spain. Killings continued after the war and left many families mourning for their lost loved ones. Currently, the mass exhumations of graves from the civil war are believed to be approximately 2,000 unmarked burial sites across the country, with only a fraction of the graves opened. The same way the killings of the Nationalists was controversial in the 1930s, the exhumation of the dead bodies is also controversial today. Some people believe that finding the bodies of relatives is a way to seal the wounds, while others feel that the past should be left behind and the bodies should be left alone to rest. This process of finding the bodies and identifying them is really slow and being done mostly by volunteers. I feel that by the time people think they are done exhuming bodies, no one will be sure if there were any more bodies left uncovered.
Review Questions: Review the art movements, style, time period and important details? Are there any important dates we must remember? The different kings that ruled? Is Spain today a monarchy or a democracy? Three Spanish identities? Is Cuba’s independence on the test – Magda’s lecture? Do people in Spain like/ed Franco, since in the article, he still had roses and the Valley of the Fallen is an important monument? Go over time periods, dividing history in sections?
The article “La Movida Madrileña” illustrates the new era that spread throughout Spain during the 1980s. Following the end of Franco’s dictatorship, under to rule of King Juan Carlos 1, Spain experienced a transition to democracy. Franco’s dictatorship left Spain in a state of “cultural delay,” lagging behind the rest of Europe, however, the establishment of democracy and the sense of freedom that spread with it, led to the phenomena that took place in Spain between 1977-1985 known as La Movida Madrileña. La Movida can be characterized as a movement of expression, brought about as a main result by the repression Spaniards faced during Franco’s dictatorship. The expression that characterized the movement took many different forms including pop and underground music, comics, captioned-photo novel strips, movies, extravagant designs, sexual experimentation, and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Pedro Almodovar is the movement’s best-known figure; he is an award-winning film director that is known for referencing the “crazy eighties” and in particular La Movida in his films. La Movida Madrileña was seen as a pivotal point in Spain’s history that marked its progression away from repression and isolation and toward democracy and freedom. Review Questions: Is there significance to the year 1640 other than that it was the year Portugal gained its independence from Spain? Is Goya’s art fall under the category of realism, romanticism, or both? What is the significance of the PIDE (Polica Internacional e de Defensa Estado?
The article that I found interesting this week was “Al Qaeda Claims Credit for Madrid Blasts.” I found this article very interesting because as I was reading it I was able to relate it to the Spanish Civil War. Even though we all claim that we learn about history to not repeat it, it does seem as if history does repeat itself in certain ways. During the Spanish Civil War there were so many innocent people, civilians who were killed and the same happened on March 4, 2004 during the bombings in Madrid. Many innocent people were killed, many who may not understand the reason for this because they have nothing to do with Al Qaeda’s rage against Spain. In both periods and even during years before the Spanish Civil War, innocent citizens are the ones who pay the price due to politics and a government’s own mistakes. Many lives are altered and the horror will never be erased from their memories. Many have left their families behind forever, yet none of this is important when it comes to political competition. I think it’s good that Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the bombings, this way action can be taken against them and so that the family members of the deceased will have peace. However, one may hope that there will be an end after this but it will not. There will be many more attacks like this one in the future killing innocent people along the way.
The Spanish Civil War still strikes many emotions with Spanish people to this day. Some want to examine the history of the past and find their relatives whom were killed during that era. While there are others who want to close that part of history and move forward. The video, “Exuming Spain’s Civil War Graves,” illustrates this contrast in beliefs of the Spanish people. Those affected by the killings want to have a sense of “closure” by unearthing their lost relative(s). But on the other hand, there are people who want to focus on the present and future, therefore shielding themselves from the horrific past that swept the country under Franco’s dictatorship. Great tension is revealed in this video, yet the past is still ever present. Therefore, the article on "La movida madrileña" displays a hopeful Spain - a sense of a rebirth after the reign of Franco. This was a pivotal time for the Spaniards trying to establish a new culture that has not been seen before. The young classes really embraced this new "culture." This yearning for freedom was truly expressed in this new movement.
In the video clip “Exhuming Spain’s civil war mass graves” people of Spain are digging up the graves of those that lost their lives in the Spain’s Civil War. Some family members are hoping to find the remains of loved ones that died in the war. Digging up these graves can possibly mean closure for some people. However, I feel that digging up these graves from decades ago will only continue to remind people of the thousands that died in the war. I feel that they should allow the dead to rest in peace. Simply digging up the grave to move the remains to a different location will not change anything. It is more reasonable to simply mourn for the loved ones that they lost regardless of where their remains are. Ultimately, the person is no longer connected to the body anyway. It is their spirit that is most important, not their skeleton.
As a lifetime soccer player, I chose to analyze Stephen Bergen’s article entitled, “World Cup 2010: Spain Unites in Victory With Celebration in the Streets”. Honestly, I felt like this was one of the few truly happy and joyous articles that have been available to us and thus I chose to address it because it relates to the modern mentality of Spain itself. Spain’s victory in the global World Cup soccer competition resulted in an essential party throughout Spain that consisted of drinking, dancing, and laughing in the streets until the next morning. Many people in the article who were interviewed stated that such a significant event for Spanish culture truly represented the sentiment of potential and prosperity for their nation, as Franco’s party has come to a complete end. The Spanish are adapting to replacing feelings of pessimism and negativity with joy and optimism for their homeland. Rather than holding grudges (Black Past) against their own people and violent events that occurred in Spanish history, this article depicts the Spanish people as being proud and confident in their own culture- as they very well should be! This also reflects to the post-modern mentality the Professor elaborated on in lecture; a modern country with excess opportunity rather than a backwards country disconnected from the world. The success in the World Cup I think symbolizes a notion of Spain reconnecting with the outside world, and even shows a feeling of Spanish dominance, power, and capability once again. From what we learned throughout the quarter, Spain has mad tremendous progress as a competitive modern country of Europe because for many centuries the Spanish were so far behind from modern ideologies and practices politically, economically, and socially. Thus, this article accurately symbolizes Spain’s turn for the better into a modernized, accepting, and diverse European nation.
For the review, I think we should go over a little more of Franco’s regime. I find it rather confusing how at first he isolated Spain, but later incorporated many other European nations? Either this is what happened and Franco is simply a contradicting man, or I do not have a great understanding of his dictatorship. Also, I think we should go over more of the differences and similarities of Spanish architecture during different periods (Renaissance, Neoclassicism, etc.).
This weeks articles were once again very interesting but I found the section on the ETA the most interesting. The ETA stands for Euskadi Ta Askatasuna which means "Basque Homeland and Freedom" in the Basque language. It is very interesting that there is an organization in Spain that is consistently fighting against the government. The Basque country is basically an autonomous region within Spain. The Basque people do not identify with Madrid and have been fighting for independence for many years. The ETA is an armed Basque nationalist and separatist movement that was found in the year 1959. The group has evolved from a group promoting Basque culture to a paramilitary group with the goal of gaining indepence for the Greater Basque Country. ETA is the main organization of the Basque National Liberal Movement and is the most important participant in the Basque conflict. These people have dedicated their lives to the Basque cause.
Two of the most brutal period in Spain (Inquisition and the Civil War) was a direct consequence of lack of tolerance; however, after the death of Franco, Spain today has become a more modernized and liberal country. Over the past decades Spanish society has changed and has become a more tolerant and progressive society. The article I found most relevant to the change in Spain society was “La Movida Madrileña, the spirit of the Spanish 80’s” because it demonstrates how conservative and intolerant Spain is part of the past. As with every other social movement “La Movida” was a reaction against the regressive and conventional stereotypes of Spaniards. Moreover, as discussed in lecture, with the promotion of education and foreign influence Spain began to change and one of the effects of such change was “La Movida”. This movement is best captured by Almodovar’s films; in his work he exposes how “La Movida” was an extreme way of life of young adults. Review question: I would like to review how the importance, differences and establishment of Spain’s first and second republic.
This week, I loved the article about Spain's World Cup 2010 victory. Based on what we've learned in class and the articles we've read it seems like ever since the end of the Spanish Civil War, the country has been divided. That may be because of the strong differences in ideals, the nationalism of regions like Catalan and Basque or lasting bitterness from the after-effects of the war. What I think this World Cup victory did, though, is truly unite the country for the first time in a long time.
I was fortunate enough to be in Spain during their 2008 Euro Cup victory, and the experience was unbelievable. People are more like family than strangers and everyone is hugging and partying in the streets together. I imagine the World Cup was even more intense, and the camaraderie between everyone can truly bring the entire country together. This resonates particularly with regions like Catalan and Basque, who are constantly on the brink of potentially becoming independent. A victory like this gives them pride in being SPANISH, and helps them identify more with their country rather than their region.
Two of my favorites this week were the article on Spain's World Cup 2010 Victory and The video on exhuming Civil War mass graves. I really enjoyed the article because it finally demonstrated unity for the Spanish people after 35 years of being overpowered by a dictatorship. As we have been learning in class, Spain became known as two Spain's and the article very clearly portrayed that for once after so many years the people of Spain were able to cheer and celebrate together the win of the world cup. Suddenly, all of the people of Spain were extremely proud.
I also enjoyed the video this week very much because it comes to show that people today are still grieving their loved ones. I was very touched by the 85 year old man whom said he was still looking for his father's remains so that he could finally bury him. I also liked that this video portrayed two different opinions. Not only did they show a man who grieved and hoped his father's body was found, they also showed a woman who said that things should just be left the way they were. Pretty much saying that what was done was done. It comes to show two different perspectives. I think I would want to find my loved one and give them a grave where I would be able to visit them and give them all my gratitude for the war they fought.
For the Review: More on Franco! His power was a confusing one. Thanks.
The article that most interested me this week was “La Movida Madrilena.” I guess what piqued my interest most was today in class when Professor Torrecilla just casually mentioned that Almodovar is gay. The article itself doesn't mention this, although it does mention the sexual experimentation of the 80s in Spain. What’s most interesting to me though now that I've finished my paper, is that Almodovar himself says that it wasn't a movement or anything unified, it was something that just happened, a series of explosions all taking place around the same time. Relating this back to my paper, I think I understand better why Guillermo del Toro had the Nationalist Forces under Vidal lose control of the camp in the end of his film, Pan’s Labyrinth. Eventually, the Republican ideas did win out over Franco, it took some time and he had to die first, but Spain was transformed during his regime. The Spain that existed before Franco would not have been a likely host for the Madrid movement of the 80’s. In fact, it’s as if all the bloodshed and oppression fertilized the ground and allowed for such expression after Franco’s death. In order for the seeming chaos of the Madrid Movement to be possible, Spain had to be modernized and Franco himself is responsible for finally getting Spain to begin catching up with the rest of the world. More so, perhaps the intolerance and oppression of Franco’s regime serves as a reminder to modern Spain to be more open-minded and accepting of radically different ideas. And perhaps it’s best that these ideas and movements happen as Almodovar says the Madrid Movement did, without control or structure, just a bunch of people letting forth all this creative energy and shaping the world around them, free to create and to be whoever they wanted to be.
Claire Lemieux: In my opinion, one of the most prevalent themes which can be seen throughout the Iberian history that we have studied in this course is the extreme regionalism of Spain, which remains a serious issue in its politics, even as a modern, legally unified nation. This week’s lecture explained how, in the Constitution of 1978, all forces agreed that it is necessary to respect Spanish plurality: the four languages, different cultures and traditions. It’s interesting to compare the diverse Spanish culture with that of the United States. In this country, the culture, style, and accents of the regions certainly vary a lot, but we have only experienced one attempt at regional secession in our history, which is much shorter than Spain’s. On the other hand, the idea of Catalan independence continues to appear, such as in a recent referendum. One factor in this contrast I suppose is that, because Spain has a much longer history of government than the United States, identities developed in those regions which were independent for most of the history. The ways in which this regionalism appears in current events still surprise me. For example, I was at confused at first by the caption in this week’s article about the 2010 World Cup victory celebrations, which reads, “Fans celebrate in Barcelona with a rare mass display of Spanish national flags”. Then I remembered that it’s not just anywhere in Spain, but Barcelona, so there is tension with the national flag. One similarity this article does demonstrate between Spain and the US is the way that a sports victory can bring people together in a patriotic fervor (we just mostly ignore soccer, and instead love the Olympics).
The article that most intrigued me this week was that of Al Qaeda's bombings of Spain. My paper explored Muslim identity in Spain in the modern times and I had discussed that Muslim's are aiming to restore the core values such as connivence from Al Andalus as well as incorporate more modern ideas such as women's rights. Nevertheless, these bombings and especially Al Qaeda taking credit once again puts Muslims in a negative spotlight as religious fanatics, despite the fact that the majority of Muslim's in Spain had nothing to do with the bombings at all. It hinders a pathway to equality and is frustrating to see reestablishment of an incorrect terrorist stigma with Muslims. Al Qaeda is a separate entity and operateson its own beliefs and the plethora of Muslims around the world, not only in Spain are against its acts. Hopefully, the Spanish people will recognize this and not make the same social mistakes that the Americans did following the 9/11 attacks. It is is essential not only for Muslims but for Spanish national identity as well since Muslim's are part of the diversity that encompasses Espana.
I really enjoyed the article about the Movida Madrilena. Almodovar is in my opinion one of the greatest film director, even though some scenes of several movies are extremely graffic and become disturbing to watch. Personally, I really enjoy Volver by Almodovar. Hable Con Ella is another great film but the scene where the man shrank man goes inside the women's body part and lives there for eternity is way too disturbing to watch. Additionally, the Film The Skin I Live In is Almodovar's most graffic and disgusting film that I have seen so far. From begging to end, the film has scenes that are unbearable to watch. This film definitely expresses Almodovar's different takes about sexuality.
Review Question: Explain the different stages of the Spanish Identities and the era that each one belongs to.
The attacks on Spanish soil by Muslim “extremists” do not come as a surprise because of all of the past history that it has had with Spain. Nevertheless, I feel that as an American who has gone through the whole process of being in a country that was attacked is something that I can relate to them, so as I read the chants of people as they cried for no more fighting. The attacks as we know are due to the support of the Spanish government supporting the US in the US-Iraq war. That was probably the factor that caused all of the fighting.
The Exhuming Spain’s Civil War Mass Graves video talks about all of the deaths that happened during the Franco regime and how they were killed and basically just thrown into a ditch like if they were a piece of trash. So their friends and family members are trying to get them out of where they are buried, of course all that’s left is their bones, but they still want to give them a proper burial. They feel that they were dishonored by how they were just left to rot in a ditch basically.
The world cup 2010 article talks about how the Spanish soccer victory actually helped to repair some of the negative tensions that the country was going through. The world cup victory came at a perfect time, so much that the town was basically reborn because of all the tensions especially those coming from Barcelona and Madrid. This is important because the country of Spain has never really been stable ever. And for some reason tensions are coming back again so this victory brings not just a world cup title to the country but also a hope to the unity of the country, for peace.
La Movida Madrilena, the Spirit of the Spanish 80’s article talks about how the Movida movement came after Franco’s death and how because people were basically set free, as that was how they felt, they were free to express their music tastes, and basically have a free culture, a free culture of repression and dictatorship. Almodovar was basically one of the pioneers of this movement as he is credited with a lot of work released during La movida.
The articles under the ETA New York Newspaper, deal with the Basque and either some of the injustices that were committed against them or their disbandment from countries like France. These articles also serve to talk about how these group of people, whom we have seen in the history of Spain, basically are struggling for rights from countries like Spain but also from countries like France who seem to be pushing them aside and not wanting them to be part of their culture.
I found the video about the discovery of a mass grave really interesting. The grave includes skeletons of Republicans who were shot by Franco followers around 1956. Families of these disappeared still have hope of finding their parents and burying them properly, to others this won't change anything since history cannot be changed.
ReplyDeleteAlso the articles about the ETA, a militant organization aiming at freeing Basque, describes how they caused the death of 825 civilians in the past decade alone. This terrorist group was blamed for the madrid bombings in 2004 but al-Qaeda confirmed to be responsible for it.
In more recent decades of 1980s we see a new identity called La Movida which was born in Madrid and spread to other parts of Spain. This was a counter culture to Franco's dictatorship. This culture included extravagance, alcohol consumption, wearing excessive make-up etc.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteReview questions:
ReplyDeletego over all the art movements in order and what era they are associated with
draw a timeline with the important year we need to know (on study guide) and key figures associated with that era.
Explain a little more "What paradoxical changes took place in Spain under Franco"'
thanks
Carlos Gutierrez
ReplyDeleteSome of the articles for this week were a little too long but very interesting. It’s crazy to believe that two terrorist groups could be working together and specially to think of all the damage they can cause. The article about the bomb explosion at the train station was very sad because of all the people that died, but then again it was amazing because it showed how all Spaniards were trying to help the people that were injured by donating blood. Also the article about Spain winning the world cup was really cool and I can just imagine how much they partied when they won, I wish I would have been in Spain at the time the championship was going on, also it was good to see the Spaniards win because for once you could see all the Spanish people together celebrating even though their economy was really bad. The article about the bodies being found was pretty sad, it’s sad to know that there is thousands of bodies that don’t have a proper burial and that the relatives just want to give them the burial every man and woman deserve, what the other lady said that they should just leave it in the past and not unbury them I found really cruel, she probably says that because she didn’t loose anyone during the war.
Review question:
What are the important dates we should remember?
Al Qaeda Claims Credit for Madrid Blasts & ETA Articles- The ETA (Basque militant group) is a major terrorist organization and has caused much trouble for the world. Peace talks have proved pointless and they have resorted back to violence. They were thought to have been responsible for the bombings and killings in Spain but Al Qaeda has claimed they did it. Several hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured. The war against terrorism still presses on and nations are doing everything in their power to fight it.
ReplyDeleteExhuming Spain’s Civil War Mass Graves- One of the mass graves from the Spanish civil war was found containing Republicans shot and buried. 150 graves have been found in the last ten years and about 300 bodies were found in the burial site located. This is important for the families who have missing members while others disagree with it saying to leave the past in the past.
World Cup 2010- I remember watching the World Cup in 2010 and how globally popular it was. Spain took the cup and I can see why they are celebrating so much, it was a much needed morale boost for the country.
Review Questions- What are the major topics and issues that we should know for the final? Is the final going to be cumulative or mostly from this half of the quarter? What is the best method to study for the final?
This week I found the video Exhuming Spain’s Civil War Graves very interesting. We’ve learned about Franco’s regime and the repression experienced by many people who opposed his dictatorship. I know that this was a dark period in the history of Spain but it’s still shocking to me to see how people are against the exhuming of hundreds of graves of those who were killed during Franco’s dictatorship. I would think that exhuming the dead bodies would only serve as a healing process for the country as a whole, not only by those family members who lost their loved ones. To me it seems that people rather forget about the negative side effects of Franco’s regime instead of closing that period of time with a proper acceptance and solidarity. Once I read the article about La Movida Madrileña I understood why people diverged from the negativity of Franco’s regime and the human rights violations to the freedom gained after Franco’s death. It seems like it was better to enjoy the freedoms that had been denied under Franco rather than mourn the deaths and disappearance of hundreds of Republicans.
ReplyDeleteReview questions: What were the differences between the first and second republic? What role did the king have during Franco’s dictatorship?
I thought the concept of La Movida Madrilena was a fascinating topic for this week’s articles and discussion during lecture. The fascination stems from the paradoxical nature of this cultural movement that emerged at such at time immediately after Franco was in power. Franco supported unity of the entire country, firmly based in the notion of religion: Catholicism. Thus, it is somewhat ironic that a cultural movement like La Movida Madrilena came about; after all, this cultural shift is rooted in an “explosion of creativity” and “pent up yearnings for freedom” that resulted in more liberal approaches to art, sexuality, and nightlife. This equally ties to the idea that after Franco’s death in 1975, Spanish society as a whole was looking forward to catching up to other European countries in terms of modernization and democracy, despite the fragile state of the nation and the “delicate dictatorship that remained after Franco’s death.” It is clear that the country of Spain needed such a boost in flair and excitement, which could insert a degree of optimism in the country’s future as well as propel them away from their dark past under Franco.
ReplyDeleteReview Questions: What are the important things we have to know about each King, especially during the reign of the Hapsburgs?
What role did the colonies in the US, Latin America play in the history of Spain?
Why, after Franco won the Civil War, did Spain experience such a dark period in its history? Is it simply because those who held the ideals of the Republicans continued to be persecuted/killed/exiled?
Once more we have a variety of topics for this weeks blog. I was puzzled while reading the Fox News Report about the bombings in Madrid. What I believed was the astonishing part was the fact that the government had no idea who was in fact behind the bombings. Some say it was Al Qaeda, some say it was ETA, while others believe that it was a combination of both terrorist groups coming together against the Spanish government. Organizations blamed different people for personal gain. In the case of hte government we could see why they prefer to blame ETA as a threat to National Security because elections were coming up and ETA has a political point of view disagreeing with the party in power. As for the people who say it was Al Qaeda they too disagree with an alliance with the U.S against Al Qaeda. However although there appear to be a deeply divided country for various reasons, at the end of the day everyone unites when the Spanish soccer team wins the final match. I enjoyed reading this article because it gave its readers a sense of hope that all though there divisions within the country , there can also be something else (a passion for soccer) that can unite a deeply divided country. At least for one night Spaniards enjoyed their victory and shared that same feeling throughout all of the regions.
ReplyDeleteMoreover I also liked the La movida Madrilena as a culture movement into a new Franco free era. The music, film, art, literature, and freedom to not be censored anymore contributed a lot into contemporary Spain. This movement brought growth into a country that was stuck in the past.
This week all of the articles were interesting. The article/video that really captured my attention is “Exhuming Spain’s Civil War Graves”. Due to the 1936 civil war that resulted from the tensions between the Nationalists under Franco and the Republicans, many people were killed and not properly buried in a tomb. Even after the civil war had ended, the dictatorship of Franco led a dark period of history for Spain. Killings continued after the war and left many families mourning for their lost loved ones. Currently, the mass exhumations of graves from the civil war are believed to be approximately 2,000 unmarked burial sites across the country, with only a fraction of the graves opened. The same way the killings of the Nationalists was controversial in the 1930s, the exhumation of the dead bodies is also controversial today. Some people believe that finding the bodies of relatives is a way to seal the wounds, while others feel that the past should be left behind and the bodies should be left alone to rest. This process of finding the bodies and identifying them is really slow and being done mostly by volunteers. I feel that by the time people think they are done exhuming bodies, no one will be sure if there were any more bodies left uncovered.
ReplyDeleteReview Questions:
Review the art movements, style, time period and important details?
Are there any important dates we must remember?
The different kings that ruled?
Is Spain today a monarchy or a democracy?
Three Spanish identities?
Is Cuba’s independence on the test – Magda’s lecture?
Do people in Spain like/ed Franco, since in the article, he still had roses and the Valley of the Fallen is an important monument?
Go over time periods, dividing history in sections?
The article “La Movida Madrileña” illustrates the new era that spread throughout Spain during the 1980s. Following the end of Franco’s dictatorship, under to rule of King Juan Carlos 1, Spain experienced a transition to democracy. Franco’s dictatorship left Spain in a state of “cultural delay,” lagging behind the rest of Europe, however, the establishment of democracy and the sense of freedom that spread with it, led to the phenomena that took place in Spain between 1977-1985 known as La Movida Madrileña. La Movida can be characterized as a movement of expression, brought about as a main result by the repression Spaniards faced during Franco’s dictatorship. The expression that characterized the movement took many different forms including pop and underground music, comics, captioned-photo novel strips, movies, extravagant designs, sexual experimentation, and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Pedro Almodovar is the movement’s best-known figure; he is an award-winning film director that is known for referencing the “crazy eighties” and in particular La Movida in his films. La Movida Madrileña was seen as a pivotal point in Spain’s history that marked its progression away from repression and isolation and toward democracy and freedom.
ReplyDeleteReview Questions:
Is there significance to the year 1640 other than that it was the year Portugal gained its independence from Spain?
Is Goya’s art fall under the category of realism, romanticism, or both?
What is the significance of the PIDE (Polica Internacional e de Defensa Estado?
The article that I found interesting this week was “Al Qaeda Claims Credit for Madrid Blasts.” I found this article very interesting because as I was reading it I was able to relate it to the Spanish Civil War. Even though we all claim that we learn about history to not repeat it, it does seem as if history does repeat itself in certain ways. During the Spanish Civil War there were so many innocent people, civilians who were killed and the same happened on March 4, 2004 during the bombings in Madrid. Many innocent people were killed, many who may not understand the reason for this because they have nothing to do with Al Qaeda’s rage against Spain. In both periods and even during years before the Spanish Civil War, innocent citizens are the ones who pay the price due to politics and a government’s own mistakes. Many lives are altered and the horror will never be erased from their memories. Many have left their families behind forever, yet none of this is important when it comes to political competition. I think it’s good that Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the bombings, this way action can be taken against them and so that the family members of the deceased will have peace. However, one may hope that there will be an end after this but it will not. There will be many more attacks like this one in the future killing innocent people along the way.
ReplyDeleteThe Spanish Civil War still strikes many emotions with Spanish people to this day. Some want to examine the history of the past and find their relatives whom were killed during that era. While there are others who want to close that part of history and move forward. The video, “Exuming Spain’s Civil War Graves,” illustrates this contrast in beliefs of the Spanish people. Those affected by the killings want to have a sense of “closure” by unearthing their lost relative(s). But on the other hand, there are people who want to focus on the present and future, therefore shielding themselves from the horrific past that swept the country under Franco’s dictatorship. Great tension is revealed in this video, yet the past is still ever present. Therefore, the article on "La movida madrileña" displays a hopeful Spain - a sense of a rebirth after the reign of Franco. This was a pivotal time for the Spaniards trying to establish a new culture that has not been seen before. The young classes really embraced this new "culture." This yearning for freedom was truly expressed in this new movement.
ReplyDeleteIn the video clip “Exhuming Spain’s civil war mass graves” people of Spain are digging up the graves of those that lost their lives in the Spain’s Civil War. Some family members are hoping to find the remains of loved ones that died in the war. Digging up these graves can possibly mean closure for some people. However, I feel that digging up these graves from decades ago will only continue to remind people of the thousands that died in the war. I feel that they should allow the dead to rest in peace. Simply digging up the grave to move the remains to a different location will not change anything. It is more reasonable to simply mourn for the loved ones that they lost regardless of where their remains are. Ultimately, the person is no longer connected to the body anyway. It is their spirit that is most important, not their skeleton.
ReplyDeleteReview Questions:
ReplyDeleteCan we go over the three phases of the reconquest in more detail?
As a lifetime soccer player, I chose to analyze Stephen Bergen’s article entitled, “World Cup 2010: Spain Unites in Victory With Celebration in the Streets”. Honestly, I felt like this was one of the few truly happy and joyous articles that have been available to us and thus I chose to address it because it relates to the modern mentality of Spain itself. Spain’s victory in the global World Cup soccer competition resulted in an essential party throughout Spain that consisted of drinking, dancing, and laughing in the streets until the next morning. Many people in the article who were interviewed stated that such a significant event for Spanish culture truly represented the sentiment of potential and prosperity for their nation, as Franco’s party has come to a complete end. The Spanish are adapting to replacing feelings of pessimism and negativity with joy and optimism for their homeland. Rather than holding grudges (Black Past) against their own people and violent events that occurred in Spanish history, this article depicts the Spanish people as being proud and confident in their own culture- as they very well should be! This also reflects to the post-modern mentality the Professor elaborated on in lecture; a modern country with excess opportunity rather than a backwards country disconnected from the world. The success in the World Cup I think symbolizes a notion of Spain reconnecting with the outside world, and even shows a feeling of Spanish dominance, power, and capability once again. From what we learned throughout the quarter, Spain has mad tremendous progress as a competitive modern country of Europe because for many centuries the Spanish were so far behind from modern ideologies and practices politically, economically, and socially. Thus, this article accurately symbolizes Spain’s turn for the better into a modernized, accepting, and diverse European nation.
ReplyDeleteFor the review, I think we should go over a little more of Franco’s regime. I find it rather confusing how at first he isolated Spain, but later incorporated many other European nations? Either this is what happened and Franco is simply a contradicting man, or I do not have a great understanding of his dictatorship. Also, I think we should go over more of the differences and similarities of Spanish architecture during different periods (Renaissance, Neoclassicism, etc.).
This weeks articles were once again very interesting but I found the section on the ETA the most interesting. The ETA stands for Euskadi Ta Askatasuna which means "Basque Homeland and Freedom" in the Basque language. It is very interesting that there is an organization in Spain that is consistently fighting against the government. The Basque country is basically an autonomous region within Spain. The Basque people do not identify with Madrid and have been fighting for independence for many years. The ETA is an armed Basque nationalist and separatist movement that was found in the year 1959. The group has evolved from a group promoting Basque culture to a paramilitary group with the goal of gaining indepence for the Greater Basque Country. ETA is the main organization of the Basque National Liberal Movement and is the most important participant in the Basque conflict. These people have dedicated their lives to the Basque cause.
ReplyDeleteTwo of the most brutal period in Spain (Inquisition and the Civil War) was a direct consequence of lack of tolerance; however, after the death of Franco, Spain today has become a more modernized and liberal country. Over the past decades Spanish society has changed and has become a more tolerant and progressive society. The article I found most relevant to the change in Spain society was “La Movida Madrileña, the spirit of the Spanish 80’s” because it demonstrates how conservative and intolerant Spain is part of the past. As with every other social movement “La Movida” was a reaction against the regressive and conventional stereotypes of Spaniards. Moreover, as discussed in lecture, with the promotion of education and foreign influence Spain began to change and one of the effects of such change was “La Movida”. This movement is best captured by Almodovar’s films; in his work he exposes how “La Movida” was an extreme way of life of young adults.
ReplyDeleteReview question:
I would like to review how the importance, differences and establishment of Spain’s first and second republic.
This week, I loved the article about Spain's World Cup 2010 victory. Based on what we've learned in class and the articles we've read it seems like ever since the end of the Spanish Civil War, the country has been divided. That may be because of the strong differences in ideals, the nationalism of regions like Catalan and Basque or lasting bitterness from the after-effects of the war. What I think this World Cup victory did, though, is truly unite the country for the first time in a long time.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate enough to be in Spain during their 2008 Euro Cup victory, and the experience was unbelievable. People are more like family than strangers and everyone is hugging and partying in the streets together. I imagine the World Cup was even more intense, and the camaraderie between everyone can truly bring the entire country together. This resonates particularly with regions like Catalan and Basque, who are constantly on the brink of potentially becoming independent. A victory like this gives them pride in being SPANISH, and helps them identify more with their country rather than their region.
Two of my favorites this week were the article on Spain's World Cup 2010 Victory and The video on exhuming Civil War mass graves. I really enjoyed the article because it finally demonstrated unity for the Spanish people after 35 years of being overpowered by a dictatorship. As we have been learning in class, Spain became known as two Spain's and the article very clearly portrayed that for once after so many years the people of Spain were able to cheer and celebrate together the win of the world cup. Suddenly, all of the people of Spain were extremely proud.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the video this week very much because it comes to show that people today are still grieving their loved ones. I was very touched by the 85 year old man whom said he was still looking for his father's remains so that he could finally bury him. I also liked that this video portrayed two different opinions. Not only did they show a man who grieved and hoped his father's body was found, they also showed a woman who said that things should just be left the way they were. Pretty much saying that what was done was done. It comes to show two different perspectives. I think I would want to find my loved one and give them a grave where I would be able to visit them and give them all my gratitude for the war they fought.
For the Review: More on Franco! His power was a confusing one. Thanks.
The article that most interested me this week was “La Movida Madrilena.” I guess what piqued my interest most was today in class when Professor Torrecilla just casually mentioned that Almodovar is gay. The article itself doesn't mention this, although it does mention the sexual experimentation of the 80s in Spain. What’s most interesting to me though now that I've finished my paper, is that Almodovar himself says that it wasn't a movement or anything unified, it was something that just happened, a series of explosions all taking place around the same time. Relating this back to my paper, I think I understand better why Guillermo del Toro had the Nationalist Forces under Vidal lose control of the camp in the end of his film, Pan’s Labyrinth. Eventually, the Republican ideas did win out over Franco, it took some time and he had to die first, but Spain was transformed during his regime. The Spain that existed before Franco would not have been a likely host for the Madrid movement of the 80’s. In fact, it’s as if all the bloodshed and oppression fertilized the ground and allowed for such expression after Franco’s death. In order for the seeming chaos of the Madrid Movement to be possible, Spain had to be modernized and Franco himself is responsible for finally getting Spain to begin catching up with the rest of the world. More so, perhaps the intolerance and oppression of Franco’s regime serves as a reminder to modern Spain to be more open-minded and accepting of radically different ideas. And perhaps it’s best that these ideas and movements happen as Almodovar says the Madrid Movement did, without control or structure, just a bunch of people letting forth all this creative energy and shaping the world around them, free to create and to be whoever they wanted to be.
ReplyDeleteClaire Lemieux:
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, one of the most prevalent themes which can be seen throughout the Iberian history that we have studied in this course is the extreme regionalism of Spain, which remains a serious issue in its politics, even as a modern, legally unified nation. This week’s lecture explained how, in the Constitution of 1978, all forces agreed that it is necessary to respect Spanish plurality: the four languages, different cultures and traditions. It’s interesting to compare the diverse Spanish culture with that of the United States. In this country, the culture, style, and accents of the regions certainly vary a lot, but we have only experienced one attempt at regional secession in our history, which is much shorter than Spain’s. On the other hand, the idea of Catalan independence continues to appear, such as in a recent referendum. One factor in this contrast I suppose is that, because Spain has a much longer history of government than the United States, identities developed in those regions which were independent for most of the history. The ways in which this regionalism appears in current events still surprise me. For example, I was at confused at first by the caption in this week’s article about the 2010 World Cup victory celebrations, which reads, “Fans celebrate in Barcelona with a rare mass display of Spanish national flags”. Then I remembered that it’s not just anywhere in Spain, but Barcelona, so there is tension with the national flag. One similarity this article does demonstrate between Spain and the US is the way that a sports victory can bring people together in a patriotic fervor (we just mostly ignore soccer, and instead love the Olympics).
The article that most intrigued me this week was that of Al Qaeda's bombings of Spain. My paper explored Muslim identity in Spain in the modern times and I had discussed that Muslim's are aiming to restore the core values such as connivence from Al Andalus as well as incorporate more modern ideas such as women's rights. Nevertheless, these bombings and especially Al Qaeda taking credit once again puts Muslims in a negative spotlight as religious fanatics, despite the fact that the majority of Muslim's in Spain had nothing to do with the bombings at all. It hinders a pathway to equality and is frustrating to see reestablishment of an incorrect terrorist stigma with Muslims. Al Qaeda is a separate entity and operateson its own beliefs and the plethora of Muslims around the world, not only in Spain are against its acts. Hopefully, the Spanish people will recognize this and not make the same social mistakes that the Americans did following the 9/11 attacks. It is is essential not only for Muslims but for Spanish national identity as well since Muslim's are part of the diversity that encompasses Espana.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the article about the Movida Madrilena. Almodovar is in my opinion one of the greatest film director, even though some scenes of several movies are extremely graffic and become disturbing to watch. Personally, I really enjoy Volver by Almodovar. Hable Con Ella is another great film but the scene where the man shrank man goes inside the women's body part and lives there for eternity is way too disturbing to watch. Additionally, the Film The Skin I Live In is Almodovar's most graffic and disgusting film that I have seen so far. From begging to end, the film has scenes that are unbearable to watch. This film definitely expresses Almodovar's different takes about sexuality.
ReplyDeleteReview Question: Explain the different stages of the Spanish Identities and the era that each one belongs to.
The attacks on Spanish soil by Muslim “extremists” do not come as a surprise because of all of the past history that it has had with Spain. Nevertheless, I feel that as an American who has gone through the whole process of being in a country that was attacked is something that I can relate to them, so as I read the chants of people as they cried for no more fighting. The attacks as we know are due to the support of the Spanish government supporting the US in the US-Iraq war. That was probably the factor that caused all of the fighting.
ReplyDeleteThe Exhuming Spain’s Civil War Mass Graves video talks about all of the deaths that happened during the Franco regime and how they were killed and basically just thrown into a ditch like if they were a piece of trash. So their friends and family members are trying to get them out of where they are buried, of course all that’s left is their bones, but they still want to give them a proper burial. They feel that they were dishonored by how they were just left to rot in a ditch basically.
The world cup 2010 article talks about how the Spanish soccer victory actually helped to repair some of the negative tensions that the country was going through. The world cup victory came at a perfect time, so much that the town was basically reborn because of all the tensions especially those coming from Barcelona and Madrid. This is important because the country of Spain has never really been stable ever. And for some reason tensions are coming back again so this victory brings not just a world cup title to the country but also a hope to the unity of the country, for peace.
La Movida Madrilena, the Spirit of the Spanish 80’s article talks about how the Movida movement came after Franco’s death and how because people were basically set free, as that was how they felt, they were free to express their music tastes, and basically have a free culture, a free culture of repression and dictatorship. Almodovar was basically one of the pioneers of this movement as he is credited with a lot of work released during La movida.
The articles under the ETA New York Newspaper, deal with the Basque and either some of the injustices that were committed against them or their disbandment from countries like France. These articles also serve to talk about how these group of people, whom we have seen in the history of Spain, basically are struggling for rights from countries like Spain but also from countries like France who seem to be pushing them aside and not wanting them to be part of their culture.