Shaky Colonialism Summary

In the dynamic book Shaky Colonialism: The 1746 Earthquake and Tsunami in Lima, Peru and it long aftermath, Walker argues that the response to the after math of the 1746 earthquake , and the reaction to Viceroy’s plain to rebuild Lima demonstrates the roles of class, religion, and politics in the reconstruction of lima. Walker also discusses how natural disasters often provide a unique “Snap a shot” into the people affected . This contribution to the historiography of colonial Pure paints a crucial picture of how individuals from different social and economic backgrounds felt about issues of the era, like the Bourbon reforms. Walker accomplishes this by providing multiple viewpoints in his research. His argument and supporting research
In this chapter, he proves that for some of the surviving members of society this event provided a clean slate to promote a European structure. Viceroy attempts to fill the power vacuum and steps in hopes to create a Lima that follows the bourbon reforms and European order. Walker also discusses the economic depths that Lima had fallen and the repercussions this had on Viceroy on rebuilding Lima. He concludes that “the conflict over the rebuilding of Lima tells a great deal, about why the bourbon reforms had such difficulty implementing the military physical and social forms in the latter half of the 18th century.” This statement brings his argument into focus and that the rebuilding of Lima was deeper than just the reconstruction of buildings but a reconstruction of
Walker puts enfaces on a surge in crime and the uprising in Huarochiri as a signs of the deferring view regarding the plains for Lima. This rounded view adds depth to his argument, focusing on multiply ethnicity and social statues shows that all class saw the catastrophe as way to change the city but in drastically different ways. Walker’s avid research allows him to create a concrete argument. From the first chapter to the closing analysis, walkers use of letters, journals , government documents , paintings, drawings, map and statistics charts all combine to support his conclusions that the social and cultural divide created by this disaster exist today. In conclusion, with its thorough research and its flowing narrative walkers work can easily appeal to academics and interested readers. The academic argument walker presents in his book can reach a wide academic audience because it provides fields like geography and anthropology a secondary resource to consider when researching the effect of natural disasters on the human