Why did Spain, and not another country, conquer most of America? Why have so many Spanish regions pushed for independence in contemporary Spain, like Catalonia or the Basque Country? Why are Spain and Portugal not united? In Spain, what is the legacy of Muslims, who ruled the region for 800 years?
Tomas, I've been subscriber since Uncharted Territories Issue #1. This piece is exceptionally well written! A little long, but elegantly covers 2 millenia of geographical influence, accidents, with a line of optimism in the future. I absolutely love that direct flight from Madrid to Medellin CO, totally beats flying through the USA, and exemplifies exactly Spain's place in the world. What a great TLDR of the history of Spain!
Have you ever thought about writing a geographic influenced history book? A global narrative of this lens in textbook form? I'd totally homeschool my future children with that. :)
Thank you Chris! I both really appreciate the support and the feedback! You’re right it is long, but as you can imagine, hard to cut. I flew through 400 years of history after the 1500s!
I am indeed starting to think how to apply this for education. My guess is it benefits more from audiovisual though?
I don’t feel equipped to do it for Italy yet. It’s a harder story. Greeks, Romans, Goths, holy empire, Normands, church, Venice, Genoa, medieval kingdoms, Spanish empire, austro-Hungarians, Risorgimento, nationalism… it’s a much more complex story!
I am currently reading the chapter about the Scientific Revolution.
I am making connections about how the world changes and how every little detail may play a role that you can only connect in the future looking backwards.
I believe the most important thing is culture. Spain could have had more importance nowadays if we had cared about the next Scientific Revolution (impossible to know at the time 😅) and the time brought mainly by the UK. Their capitalist culture from Adam Smith later got an excellent symposium on Power, Resources and Research.
It's incredible to see how united we were back then because we all had a unique vision, which doesn't happen nowadays.
And our culture mostly pushes talented people who could change things outside for a better future because they're more valued overseas.
There are many other connections, but I need to digest them before taking some conclusions. But it's been definitely a great great read! Thanks
Like to get your discussion on how climate change with its geographic alterations change in resource availability and differing resource requirements for development will impact each continent and its peoples
As always a very well documented article that took me back several decades to my history lessons. But in the way YOU present it i, it s much easier to ingest and understand.
Tomas, I've been subscriber since Uncharted Territories Issue #1. This piece is exceptionally well written! A little long, but elegantly covers 2 millenia of geographical influence, accidents, with a line of optimism in the future. I absolutely love that direct flight from Madrid to Medellin CO, totally beats flying through the USA, and exemplifies exactly Spain's place in the world. What a great TLDR of the history of Spain!
Have you ever thought about writing a geographic influenced history book? A global narrative of this lens in textbook form? I'd totally homeschool my future children with that. :)
Thank you Chris! I both really appreciate the support and the feedback! You’re right it is long, but as you can imagine, hard to cut. I flew through 400 years of history after the 1500s!
I am indeed starting to think how to apply this for education. My guess is it benefits more from audiovisual though?
Visuals (maps, graphics, charts) definitely help a lot understanding history and the changes. Awesome job, Tomás!
Glad to hear!
+1
Just brilliant.I’d liked to have had this at school🙌
Me too…
Very good article Tomas! Are you going to do the same analysis for Italy? it would be cool and I would like it very much!
I don’t feel equipped to do it for Italy yet. It’s a harder story. Greeks, Romans, Goths, holy empire, Normands, church, Venice, Genoa, medieval kingdoms, Spanish empire, austro-Hungarians, Risorgimento, nationalism… it’s a much more complex story!
Really appreciated your intellectual honesty!
I saw this article while I was reading Sapiens; what a marvellous combination!
Oh tell me more! I read the book a long time ago and don’t remember connections. What connections does the combination make in your brain?
I am currently reading the chapter about the Scientific Revolution.
I am making connections about how the world changes and how every little detail may play a role that you can only connect in the future looking backwards.
I believe the most important thing is culture. Spain could have had more importance nowadays if we had cared about the next Scientific Revolution (impossible to know at the time 😅) and the time brought mainly by the UK. Their capitalist culture from Adam Smith later got an excellent symposium on Power, Resources and Research.
It's incredible to see how united we were back then because we all had a unique vision, which doesn't happen nowadays.
And our culture mostly pushes talented people who could change things outside for a better future because they're more valued overseas.
There are many other connections, but I need to digest them before taking some conclusions. But it's been definitely a great great read! Thanks
Like to get your discussion on how climate change with its geographic alterations change in resource availability and differing resource requirements for development will impact each continent and its peoples
Interesting concept…
Such a fantastic way to explain it because you stimulate curiosity throughout your narrative!
Thanks for the great time you've given me by reading the story of my country!
Me alegro!
Wonderful, thanks.
As always a very well documented article that took me back several decades to my history lessons. But in the way YOU present it i, it s much easier to ingest and understand.
It’s the goal! Glad to hear it works
Muchas gracias y enhorabuena por el excelente trabajo Tomás!
Muchas gracias y enhorabuena por el trabajazo!
Gracias!
Reading this during a month long trip in various parts of Spain. I’m really thrilled to see where you take the rest of the series.
You made me travel back in time to the pupitre 🔁
I’m not sure how to take that 🤔
Such a great article! Bravo
Great article. Thank you, Tomas!
excelente análisis Tomas ! ... y gracias por refrescarnos la memoria con un pedacito de historia .
Excelente compendio de conocimientos y fantásticas conclusiones. Mil gracias por compartirlo¡¡
Y a ti por apreciarlo!