The Spanish Influence

Throughout history there has always been a fight for control and power, especially

amongst nationalities. Due to these conflicts several wars and countless deaths have occurred.

The desire for dominance brings with it influences of art, knowledge, tools, and theology.

Multiple countries have played major roles in the development of other lands around the world.

However, nothing compares to the influence Spain had on the western hemisphere. The

conquering of this land and its people affected the United States before it was even considered an

independent country. Even today, Spain continues to influence the United States, just in ways

less drastic. Some of the current ways Spain is affecting the United States includes motor-

vehicles, art, and music.

Spain today isnt controlling or governing any other country or territory in the western

hemisphere. It occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula in southwest Europe. It also controls the

Balearic and the Canary Islands just off the coast of its mainland. (National Geographic) It has

a population of about 43.5 million people. Even though this number is significantly less than the

United States, Spain still manages to influence many countries worldwide.

1&2 Carlos Viitanen moved from Spain to the United States at the age of six. While living in

Spain his father, who owned a business, was wrongfully sued. He won the case but his name had

been slandered to such an extent that it was better for them to try and find refuge elsewhere. As a

result, they decided to move to the United States. In an interview about his transition to the North

America Carlos stated that there wasnt much difficulty in doing so. Being at such a young age

he was able to learn English quickly. A major difference that stood out to him was the overall
tone between the two countries. Spain was very relaxed while the United States seem to always

be in a hurry, from one thing to the next.

3 Overall, the cultural tone of Spain is mellow. Every day in the early afternoons Spaniards

will participate in something that is called a siesta. This is so prominent that shops and trading

posts will stop for the few hours in observance of the siesta. During this time, people will go

home and relax. They will take naps or spend time with family. Family is a big part of Spanish

culture as well. This respect for family is taught in popular religious institutions found all over

Spain. According to a study done in 2016 about 68% of Spaniards self-identify as Catholic

Christian. (Religion in Spain) This isnt surprising with the amount of involvement

Catholicism has had in the development of the country. One influential factor of the development

of Spain was the Catholic Church.

4 In 711 AD the Moors, under the leadership of Tariq ibn-Ziyad, conquered the Iberian

peninsula where present day Spain is located. This conquering brought many benefits to Spain.

Under the rules of the Moors the Spanish were introduced to numerous advancements in science,

mathematics, and art. (15 Things You Did Not Know About the Moors of Spain) The whole

civilization of the Spain changed during the 800 years they were under the rule of the Moors.

This influence was so deep that it affected their architecture, their music, and it even went as far

as to vary their language. Although they were conquered the Spanish managed to cling to their

religion.

After the expulsion of the Moors and the liberation of Spain the Spanish searched to find

ways to identify themselves as Spaniards. Once the identity of Spanish was developed, a strong

sense of patriotism was formed. Thriving on being a part of this developing culture left a
problem in Spain attitude that still exists today. Their self-developed love for this newly

improved culture left little room for those immigrating into Spain.

This attitude then spread to neighboring countries. The bordering countries wanted to

figure out what made them unique as well. Which also contributed to the Spaniards having little

regard for the indigenous people of the Americas, especially after they conquered them. It wasnt

until the native people started learning about Christianity that helped the Spaniards see them as

less savage. (Teaching History) One idea is that the Spanish were able to see the natives

embracing Spanish culture, due to the acceptance of Catholicism.

In Spain there were several groups that were ostracized and outcaste because of the

separation of cultures. The two prominent groups that were really disliked and to this day retain

negative stigma are the Jews and the Gypsies (Rom). These two groups were looked down on

and disrespected by the people who viewed themselves as true Spaniards. This hatred for these

groups spread throughout Europe and was a major factor in World War II. The United States

soldiers experienced this first hand as they were freeing Jews and Gypsies from Concentration

Camps in Germany, Italy, and other European countries. (Why Did the Nazis persecute Roma)

During the early centuries of Spains development, the Jews and the Gypsies were so

oppressed that they were forced to congregated into towns and residencies separate from the

Spaniards. (Spain The Gypsies) It was in these social groups and gatherings that they would

express themselves and morn their oppression. These attitudes were put into a unique style of

song and dance. This style of music is called flamenco. (Flamenco) It is often played on a

guitar and is accompanied by dancing and sometimes vocals. The guitar is played with quick

strong chords as the dancer, often times a woman or women, would dance while waving the ends
of a long dress. The lyrics to the songs commonly discussed their oppression and their desire to

be free.

5a. Even today the Flamenco is still danced and played. It has become a world-renowned

form of music and dance. Its often done for the expressive and bold nature of the dance itself

and is revered by both the Spanish and the Gypsies of today.

In the 1960 a band heavily influenced by flamenco dance emerged, their name was The

Doors. Although they are a band from the sixties they gain their highest popularity in the early

years of the twenty-first century. (The Doors Discography) The music they played had

distinguishable characteristics barrowed from flamenco but in a more modern style.

One song that represents flamenco well is Spanish Caravan. In this song, the lyrics talk

about a desire to go to Spain and Portugal and visit the good things there. The movement in the

melody is mostly steps with a few skips. The range in the music is in the medium range which

progresses into a larger range. The contour of the piece has a repetitive downward movement. It

is quadruple with its meter/rhythm and simple with its time. The harmony is in major key. It has

homophony for its texture that transitions to polyphony later in the song. The timbre is created

through the guitar and synthetic sounds in the piece. The tempo starts out slow but increases as

the song goes on; the dynamics is forte; the style of this piece gives the sense of boldness and

longing at the beginning and transitions to a more psychedelic feel. These are a description of the

expressions found in the music.

5b. The United States has always been a country that would embrace the development of new

music. There have been very distinct styles of music that have immerge from every decade. This

is especially true for the twentieth century.

 The Rock and Roll movement in the United States started a trend that would branch out

other genres and have shaped the direction of music altogether. When rock and roll gained

popularity among the adolescents of the nineteen fifties the parents were mortified by the

behavior that it invoked in their children. This new form of music brought with it new forms of

dancing and provoked new ways of self expression. The teens were now twisting, thrusting, and

grinding against each other. This was very contrary to the way that their parents were raised.

(America Rocks and Rolls)

In the late sixties rock and roll was still running strong. This genre expanded greatly as

new bands would put their variation to it. One of these bands to emerge at this time was, as stated

earlier, The Doors. They came together in the late sixties and created a unique way to play rock

and roll. They took a lot of influences from traditional sounds, such as flamenco, from the

Spanish culture. They combine it with the current psychedelic music that was prominent during

that era and play it in a rock and roll form.

5c. Flamenco music and dance has stayed fairly constant throughout the history of its

creation. It is one form of music that is regarded as being such a representation of culture that it

remains fairly constant. It is used however as a building block for several genres and other forms

of music. There are countless amounts of songs and artists that have taken aspects from

traditional flamenco music. However, the traditional flamenco continues to remain in its true

form. ("Flamenco - Its origin and evolution") It is important to note that flamenco has been the

inspiration to a lot of Latin music that is considered traditional such as Tango, Cumbia, and

Bachata.

In conclusion, there are several countries that have affected the United States and its

cultural development. There are however very few countries that have played such an influential
role in the musical development of the world like Spain did with the creation of flamenco.

Popular artists still today continue to draw inspiration from flamenco for the creation of their

music, just as the rest of the world often looks at American music for inspiration.
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