What Is The Relationship Between The Usa And Latin America

Music is one major aspect that defined the relations between the United States and Latin America in terms of culture. It helped change music in the form of blending different techniques used by different cultures and establish respect of one another. In the 19th century, the music in the US was transitioning from the Victorian era of music to ragtime. The significance of this transition was that the US was developing a form of musical style independent of its neighbors across the Atlantic. Latin America had contributed to the development of the new style which lead to fusions and different genres of the foundation. While the music in the US started essentially as the classical style borrowed from Europe, Latin America had Son, a concoction
For instance, Mexico had Ranchera, a traditional folk style of music that reflected rural living. This style has heavy European influence and it’s considered Mexico’s national music. Most ranchera songs were performed by a single man playing guitar as well as providing vocals. In the late 19th century, mariachi bands formed. Mariachis played on special occasions such as weddings, celebrations, and to increase foreign relations. Outside of Mexico, there are two most recognized forms in Latin America are Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian. The Cuban and Brazilian form of music adapted seamlessly with jazz after World War II and during the cool era of jazz in the 1950s. A notable US figure, who traveled and performed in Latin American countries for most of his career, was Louis Moreau Gottschalk, a well-known composer and pianist during the mid to late 1800’s. Gottschalk was the first US composer to combine his creole heritage and Latin American rhythms in his works .His compositions like Battle of Bunker Hill and L’Union reflected his political outlook. He was a patriot and firm believer of the Republican system of government which he promoted to countries that recently achieved independence from Spain and
In contrast, Cuban Son has more emphasis on the African rhythm. One reason for the difference is that Cuba and other Caribbean islands was the Central and North American focal point of the slave trade, so it is safe to assume that the population of African people was, and still is, very dense. As a result, the Caribbean had been exposed to a variety of African cultures like those of the Fon( Benin, formerly known as the kingdom of Dahomey) and Abakwa (southeast Nigeria). A product of the African, European, and Creole (Louisiana) cultures was the primary form and foundation of Cuban music today, the Habanera or the Cuban contradanza. During her stay in Havana, US tourist Irene Wright mentioned in her diary about Cuban culture that the city “is rotten and has no shame” for the apparent reason that there was too much partying and celebration . When Gerardo Machado came into power in 1925, the African element of Cuban music was looked down upon, with very few exceptions, as Machado was trying to maintain his reputation with US investors, travelers, and government . During the roaring ‘20s, The US transitioned from the age of Dixieland and ragtime to swing and big band which lasted until the late 1940’s. The big names of the era included Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Louie Armstrong. Swing