Assignment 4a

Assignment 4a

1. In a paragraph, tell us what "Conquest/Colonial' era of Latin America or the Caribbean means.

The colonial era lasted from 1492-1810. In just over the 300 year era, Latin America was shaped the most. It began in 1492, when Christopher Columbus’s arrival and the subsequent arrival in 1519 of Hernan Cortez. The terms “Conquest/Colonial” as referred to the events that took place when the Spanish colonized the Americas. The victims of the Spanish invasion were the Mayans, Aztecs and other native cultures.

5. Tell us why you chose the topic, tell us about the sources you used (eg if video, what can you expect to see on the video clip you viewed)

I chose to research Junipero Serra because in the 4^th grade, when every student researched one mission in the state of California, I of course researched one as well, but I wanted to know who started building these missions. Now I know Junipero Serra started the chain of missions in Alta California. The video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXdG y1WtQ_4, shows many different pictures of where Serra was from, Mallorca, and the church and missionary that resides. The video also has dialogue briefly describing Serra’s life and where he is at rest.

Interesting Fact #1- His education is extensive

When Serra was just 17 years old, he became a friar and joined the Order of Friars Minor. Because he was so well educated, he became the head of the philosophy division of the friar. This occurred before he became a priest. He also went so far to obtain his doctorate in, of course, theology, or the study of the existence of gods. After obtaining this degree, he was the chair of philosophy from where he graduated, the Lullian University, until he joined the missionary College of San Fernando de Mexico when he was just 36.

Interesting Fact #2- Serra personally founded 9 missions

After arriving in Mexico City, Serra quickly became a popular priest because of his encouragement of missions from Baja CA throughout the state. In 1770, he moved to Monterey, where he became known as Father President of the Alta California. During his presidency, 8 missions were established in California, in addition to the ones he founded personally.

Interesting Fact #3- Serra’s unusual death & resting place

When Serra was just 70 years old, he was put to rest, due to a snake bite. Although this is a very uncommon way to pass on, in the late 1700’s, this was not uncommon, because of the lack of medical resources. He was put to rest under the floor at Mission San Carlos Borromeo, in Monterey, where he passed away.

7. Use two sources for your work. Cite your sources used for this component and tell us why these sources are credible.

Minster, Christopher. "Latin American History: Introduction to the Colonial Era." About.com 2009 1 Apr 2009.

http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/coloniallatinamerica/p/colonialera.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXdGy1WtQ_4

http://www.sfmuseum.net/bio/jserra.html

These sources are credible because they contain other cited sources and I have come to rely on .net sites as credible. Also the information in the video and on the museum site are the same and back up each other.