This article was compiled from material from the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute and the Gilder Lehrman Institute websites.
America & Spain 250 Initiative:
The initiative’s mission is to celebrate 250 years of the shared past, present and continued friendship between the United States, Spain, and the Spanish-speaking world.
Starting with the significant yet little-understood role of Spain in America’s War of Independence, Spain’s contributions to the history and development of the United States are many and diverse. They span numerous realms: science, medicine, agriculture and technology, along with language, literature, religion and the arts. The initiative aims to increase public awareness of these contributions and celebrate their importance over the course of 250 years of Spain’s shared history with the United States.
The initiative also seeks to enrich the understanding of the complex, changing, yet enduring tripartite relationship between Spain, Spanish-speaking America and the United States. Read more...
Educational Materials:
- Bilingual educational app "Quizstory: Spanish Friendship" Quizstory: Spanish Friendship
- Set of 3 posters about Spain's contribution to the American War of Independence Posters for Schools
- Educational Platform: "Spanish Influence on American History" Spanish Influence on American History
The first phase of this project includes the launch of the page "Spanish Influence on the American Revolution" in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding: Spanish Influence on the American Revolution
Highlighted materials from the platform include:
- Didactical unit including 5 lessons based on primary sources: "Spain and the American Revolution: Contributions to the Patriot Cause" Spain and the American Revolution
- "Spotlight on Primary Sources", brief analyses of primary sources:
- Spain's "Royal Gift" to George Washington, 1784: Spain's Royal Gift
- Spain's Covert Contribution to the American Revolution, 1778: Spain's Covert Contribution
- Videos by scholars and historians explaining primary sources:
- Third Virginia Convention’s Request for Spanish Support explained by Esther Cruces, Director of the General Archive of the Indies: Third Virginia Convention’s Request for Support
- Spain's Multicultural Militias explained by Jose Manuel Guerrero Acosta, member of the Academy of Arts and Military Sciences: Spain's Multicultural Militias
- Spain’s Declaration of War Against Great Britain with Larrie D. Ferreiro, professor at George Mason University: Spain’s Declaration of War
Portal Historia Hispánica- America, an adaptation of the Royal Academy of History's Spanish History Portal tailored for the American audience and translated into English. This version includes key events and figures of Hispanic history in the United States and the Caribbean between 1700 and 1800: Portal Historia Hispánica- America
For additional information on the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute click here.
For additional information on the Gilder Lehrman Institute click here.
