OOC: Because hey, I thought this history was lacking some cultural background. Its not all about wars and politics, you know.
Unfortunately, I can only speak for New Spain, but hey, I tried to make the world's cultural fabric a little richer.
The following is an excerpt from
History of New Spain - Independence to Today , a textbook for New Spanish history students, published in 1992.
New Spanish Literature of the Mid-1800s
The United States New Spain had a thriving cultural aspect throughout much of the 19th Century. Carlos Rivera, the
Presidente , had an obsession with making New Spain the cultural epicentre of the Americas, and encouraged those in New Spain with artistic talents to work their trades there. This resulted in great boosts to New Spanish culture, particularly at the Managua universities. In particular, the New Spanish school of Pessimism gained prominence in New Spain at the time, which stated that life was a never-ending struggle and that true happiness or success was never really achievable - any happiness gained was at best only fleeting or an illusion. Many of the seminal New Spanish works were published during this time, including, but not limited to;
O, Managua! , by Martin Chavez - This is Chavez's crowning work as a writer, depicting the struggles of the soldiers during the New Spanish War of Independence. The title comes from Chavez's lament at the start of the book about the oppression that the Empire of Holy Spain forced the city of Managua to suffer. This work is part of the required reading for New Spanish school students today, as it is part of the cultural fabric of New Spain and depicts accurately and heart-wrenchingly the war against the Empire of Holy Spain.
The Plantation Men , by Eduardo Lamosa - Eduardo Lamosa was the principle Afro-New Spanish author of this period. A recently freed slave, Lamosa then educated himself and then published this text about the lives of the slaves freed after New Spain abolished slavery. The book depicts the sufferings of the slaves before the abolition, and their struggles to gain acceptance and employment from the aristocrats who owned the Haciendas.
Love and War on the Haciendas , by Alvarez Gomez - This book, published by an unknown women under a pseudonym, is a tragic tale of romance on a hacienda on the New Spanish - Yucatan border, taking place against the backdrop of the Mayan incursions into New Spain at the time. The heroine falls in love with a plantation owner near Tegucigalpa, and the story deals with her attempts to win his heart. However, after she succeeds and she is soon to be wed, the Mayans attack and slay him. The story is also on the required reading list for New Spanish students, due to its gripping portrayal of romance and the tragic grief of loss.
The Scheme , by Hector Alvarez - This story depicts the constant labour that was the norm on the Rivera Transport Scheme, as the project worked its slow, laborious way across Central America. Bleak and pessimistic, it depicts the near slavery that the labourers suffered and the awful living conditions, as well as the despair of the author that the scheme would ever be completed when he hears news of the Spanish blockade on New Spain.
Memoirs of Carlos Garcia, Personal Aide to Presidente Carlos Rivera , by Carlos Garcia - This the memoirs of Carlos Garcia, aide to Rivera for many years up until the end of Rivera's life. It also serves as a biography for Rivera, showing the man in the flesh and his interactions with other figures from New Spain's early history. A clever and observant man, Garcia dispels many of the preconceptions and legends about New Spain's first leader and the hero of the War of Independence, particularly the myths of Rivera's supposedly great wisdom. However, he is not unduly unfair, and acknowledges his great talents as well - notably his determination and steely drive. It is a balanced and comprehensive look on the Presidente, and is a work of literature in its own right.
