Major
International Studies & Political Science
Class Standing
Senior
Course Number and Title
INST 4900-01 Senior Capstone
Faculty Member's Name
Dr. Enyu Zhang
Project Description
Abstract: Over the past fifteen years, the way colonialism is remembered and taught has come under fire. In Spain, dominant political forces strike against one another on what the “correct” history of colonization looks like. Of particular concern is how the stories of colonialism have been remembered and taught and what these stories might look like moving forward. This paper examines the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire and the long-term impacts of the colonial period and then discusses how the colonial period is remembered in Spain and the impact of collective memory on national identity. It does so through examination of certain colonial narratives (the Black Legend, the White Legend, Hispanism) and a close look at the education of colonialism (looking at museums, textbooks, and celebrations from modern-day Spain). Finally, it examines the impact that such education has on modern-day Spanish politics, arguing that the maintenance of colonial narratives that ignore the unsavory elements of colonialism leads to modern political conflict, both domestically and internationally.
Click below to download Reflective Statement.
Memories of the Past: Engagement with Colonial Narratives in Modern-Day Spain
Abstract: Over the past fifteen years, the way colonialism is remembered and taught has come under fire. In Spain, dominant political forces strike against one another on what the “correct” history of colonization looks like. Of particular concern is how the stories of colonialism have been remembered and taught and what these stories might look like moving forward. This paper examines the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire and the long-term impacts of the colonial period and then discusses how the colonial period is remembered in Spain and the impact of collective memory on national identity. It does so through examination of certain colonial narratives (the Black Legend, the White Legend, Hispanism) and a close look at the education of colonialism (looking at museums, textbooks, and celebrations from modern-day Spain). Finally, it examines the impact that such education has on modern-day Spanish politics, arguing that the maintenance of colonial narratives that ignore the unsavory elements of colonialism leads to modern political conflict, both domestically and internationally.