3. In branches of the sciences does Humboldt believe that latin Americas have the most to contribute? Humboldt’s page 130-132
the branches of science that Humboldt discusses are physical sciences, mathematics, chemistry, and 3 other notable scientists of that timeframe.
In regards to physical science, the area of new Spain has been very great as Humbolt refers the region “making great progress.” In regards to the specific progress being made he compares it to science in Europe where he writes “no European government has scarified greater sums to advance the knowledge of the vegetable kingdom than Spain.” In regards to the specifics of the science being achieved on the New continent Humboldt states, “research conducted during 20 years in the most fertile regions have not only enriched science with more than 4000 species of plants.” Also worth taking note of in Mexico, “the city of Mexico exhibits a botanical garden in the precincts of the palace of the Vice roy.” Thus plant science was an important reality of life in Latin America
Another science that is prominent in the new continent is that of chemistry. As Humboldt explains, As a European, one of the realities that that Humboldt takes note of what he sees in writing that “a European cannot undoubtedly but be surprised to meet in the interior of California with young Mexicans who reason on the decomposition of water in he process of amalgamation with free air.” Also the knowledge being gained in the territory was from education as Humboldt States “The school of mines possesses a chemical laboratory; a geological collection. a physical cabined. and the best mineralogical work in the Spanish language printed in mexico.” Chemistry was an important part of schooling in Mexico.
Another factor in science is Mathematics however not as major of a focus as the reality in chemistry. As Humboldt explains “the pupils go further into analysis; they are instructed in the integral and different calculi.” The value of Math varies as stated by Humboldt “Instruction in Mathematics is less carefully attended to in the university of Mexico than in the school of mines.” Math had its value in regards to schooling in Latin American Universities.
Diving further into the specifics there are three men worth noting in the mathematics, those people being “Velazquez, Gama, and Alzate.” Those people were major into the central american mathematicians as Humboldt states “the three made a great number of astronomical observations especially of the eclipses of the satellites of Jupiter.” In regards to the specific figures there are many which Humboldt refers to. The first of which being Alzate. who as Humboldt Staes “the correspondent of top the Academy of scenes. Inaccurate as an observer, and he gave himself up on on too many objects at a time. However he excited his countrymen to the study of the physical sciences.” Another figure is geometrician named Don Joaquin Velazques Cardenas y Leon. Velasquez was born “on the 21st of July 1732.” In regards to his work in geometry, as Humboldt starts “sent on commission he profited by the serenity of the sky to make a number of astronomical observations.” Velasquez made himself “a very good observation of the transit of Venus over the disk of the sun on June 3rd 1769.” The third name too mention would be Game. Game “became a well informed astronomer. Publishing several memoirs on eclipses, starlets of super, on the almanac of ancient Mexicans, and on the climate of new Spain.” That is the reality of the figures that Humboldt refers to as they all have their own significance on the science of the time.
8. How did the rise of their coffee houses change social customs in Lima? who frequented the coffee houses why would local officials favour the establjsment of coffee houses. page 138-139
one of the realities in regards to coffee production in latin america is that the production of coffee. As stated in the chapter “Europeans who had travelled in the middle East brought the beverage to Italy, and the first coffee houses opened in cities across the continent.” This question covers who went to these establishments , why the leaders of the government were fond of these establishments, and what developed of these establishments.
In regards to who frequented the establishments, they were used to “serve as gathering spots for intellectuals eager to discuss the advances in human knowledge.” Part of the appeal was as stated the “ones who were the first to introduce it made it fashionable… There is no doubt that these establishments are useful and convenient to the youths of men, who lack in their own homes a place suitable for taking refreshment whenever the need or the whim demands.” Thus another benefit was that it brought people out of their homes and to a location to which they could get the drinks that they desired. One of the reasons that these establishments had an appeal were as stated by the book “for gathering in the coffee houses with moderation decency, and decorousness contributing to the comfort of the citizens by providing them with a form of recreation.” Thus those who frequented these coffee shops were members of the academic class, and they were motivated by a place to get whatever refreshment they desired outside of their home, and a place to which they could gather in groups for recreational purposes.
In order to explain the rise of the Cafes there are multiple explanations. One of which was the addition of Coffee which was new at the time and the high establishment figures who visited these establishments. As it States “Don Francisco Serio set up a cafe on the street of Santo Domingo.” One of the people who were in favor of the coffee shops was “excellency Don Manuel De Amat, the viceroy at the time.” The Don was for the cafes as he knew that “their development was of direct benefit to society.” The local government was pro these establishments as well as “they did not view the introduction of this new fad with any distaste. With the passage of time their customers increased in number, and it is supposed that the profits of the shop owners were considerable.” As stated the reality of the appeal seen by the establishment class was that there was a motive of profit that led to a positive feeling for these created cafes.
One of the realities of the coffee shop is the new social customs that came out of the shops. One of which is a place of leisure that happens in these locations. As written, “In all these cafes there are billiard tables, or gambling tables.” Another factor of these shots is that “ices and drinks of all kinds are served, the service is decent, and tranquility undisturbed.” The drink of coffee was an evolution of the former drink known as Mate which was “so common,” however it “required repose and foresight that aren’t compatible with the space of a shop.” As previously stated one of the customs brought out of the coffee shop was a place of gathering, as the chapter states “these establishments are very useful and convenient to the youth who lack in their homes a place suitable for taking refreshment whenever they desires… it contrived to the comfort of the city's by providing them with a harmless form of recreation.” Thus the customer that were created as a result of these establishments were new beverages, games, and a place for recreational gathering.
Questions to ask
1. what were the factors that led to the creation of the “sociedad Patriotica by Quito” and what was the intended goal that the group had for the creation of the Sociedad Patriotica.
2. What do the contents of “Gaceta De Literatura” show you about the life of the Latin American society? Use examples of how it proved the intelligence of the society, what could be noted as writings solely created by Alzate, and what could have been influenced by the European scientists.
Bibliography
Martin, Cheryl, E., and Wasserman, Mark. Readings on Latin American and its People: Volume 1. to 1830. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2011.