Progress Report # 4

Individual research is done! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Our next assignment is to write an essay about one of the things we researched during our individual research. Our group also has to read an article this week and present a lesson to the rest of the capstone groups in our class where we talk about the article.

So far I think we're all working well together, and we've got a lot accomplished. We've still got a long way to go, and a lot of group for ahead of us, but I'm hopeful for the future! Keep reading to see what we're going to be doing next!

Latin American Harp

This is the harp that was traditionally played in Latin America during our time period. Music was an important part of Latin American culture.

Progress Report # 3

Our group's research is due soon, so that has been the majority of our work the past week. I learned a lot about many of the people I've been researching, about how Francisco de Miranda was one of the first activists of revolution before Simón Bolívar, and how Miguel Hidalgo was a priest who was a major activist in Mexico's independence from Spain.

Liam learned that Great Britain and the United States opposed the plan for the reconquest of Latin America. Britain is thriving for the trade with the independent Latin American regions.

Brendan learned that Latin American music somewhat sets the bar for all the music that we have today. We listen to all the rhythms that the dominate nations had  back then. The three main nations that occupied the Latin American Area were the Pre - Colonial Indians, Europeans and the Africans. The Africans that were brought to this region were used for slavery as they were in the U.S.A. 

Progress Report # 2 (Continued)

Here's what my group members say about what they've learned so far:

Liam: When Napoleon was defeated in Europe, the numerous kings and queens regained their throne once again. The Spanish king at the time wanted to rebuild Latin America. It was too late, though, the Europeans lost their grip on Latin America, the inhabitants formed their own government.

Brendan: The main music that came from the Latin American music were syncopated rhythms and all the main types of instruments with strings on them like the violin and the guitar and all the other stringed instruments.  

Progress Report # 2

Another week of Capstone done! Overall I think my group has been successful. We found a primary source for our seminar, and our group has been focusing on getting some research done. I've been focusing on Simon Bolivar (see previous posts) while the rest of my group has been focusing on other topics like events during our time period and inventions and innovations. Our plan is to keep researching our individual topics until the work is due, and then we'll begin to work on other aspects of the project.

I'll post information soon about what they have learned. Until then, keep reading.

More On Simón Bolívar

Recently I've been doing a lot of research on Simón Bolívar, and I learned some really cool things about him. He was born in Venezuela in 1783, but he spent a lot of time in Spain and France, and also visited Mexico, Cuba, Rome, and Venice.

When in France in 1801, he admired Napoleon Bonaparte because he had risen to power on wits and bravery instead of how rich he was, or what family he was born into. He lost that admiration in 1804, though, when Napoleon proclaimed himself the emperor of France. I think it is interesting to think about the people and events that inspired Bolívar. He would have been inspired by the French Revolution, and probably even the American Revolution.

Simón Bolívar

This is an awesome Brainpop video about Simón Bolívar! Check it out!

Toussaint Louverture and Haiti

Good news, I talked to my teacher, and our group is allowed to research Haiti! Yaaaaaaaaaay! It's part of the Carribean, but it can be included when people are talking about Latin America. That means we're allowed to research Toussaint Louverture, who was a slave who rose up, broke free of slavery, and ended up leading the Haitian Revolution. I think that's really cool. Make sure to keep reading for more information about the people, events, and inventions/innovations of our time period.

Progress Report # 1

So far our group is mainly focused on getting beginning information sorted out. We have began to do research, and are working on finding some Latin American revolutions in our time period. So far we have found out about these events:

1809 Equador gains independence from Spain
1810 Venezuela gains independence from Spain
1811 Paraguay is independent from Spain

Also, people we have found to research include Simón Bolívar and Miguel Hidalgo

One of our tasks this week is to find a primary source from our time period, I'll report back on our progress for that. Keep checking out my blog for more information!

How Well Do You Know Your Revolutionaries? (Continued)

Toussaint Louverture was the correct answer to the question, he was a major leader in Haiti's revolution. I took the poll down because I learned that Haiti is not actually a part of Latin America.

Sorry about the confusion. But look for a new poll very soon!

How Well Do You Know Your Revolutionaries?

Haiti won it's independence from France in 1804. Who was their leader?

Be sure to take my poll and see what you know! Come back next Thursday, February 9, for the correct answer.