07. Emmanuelle PEREZ TISSERANT (Framespa/Toulouse2 Jean Jaurès)

Introduction of Emmanuel Fait

This section introduces Emmanuel Fait, a lecturer in history and civilization at the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès. His research focuses on the history of California, particularly the Spanish colonization in the late 18th century.

Emmanuel's Background and Research

• Emmanuel is a maître de conférences (lecturer) in history and civilization at the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès.

• His research interests lie in the history of California, with a focus on political and environmental aspects.

• He has published a book titled "La Légende de la Californie" (The Legend of California) in 2019, which explores the Spanish colonization in California.

Acknowledgments and Apologies

In this section, Emmanuel expresses his gratitude to the organizers of the colloquium and apologizes for not being able to attend physically.

Acknowledgments and Apologies

• Emmanuel thanks the organizers for inviting him to speak at the colloquium.

• He apologizes for not being able to attend in person.

Introduction to Junípero Serra

This section provides an introduction to Junípero Serra, a Franciscan missionary who played a significant role in converting Alta California to Christianity during the late 18th century.

Junípero Serra's Significance

• Junípero Serra was a Franciscan missionary who led the missionization efforts in Alta California during the late 18th century.

• Historian Steven Hackel referred to him as a "founding father" of California, drawing parallels between Serra and other founding figures like George Washington.

• Serra has also been compared to Christopher Columbus, with some calling him the "Christopher Columbus of California."

• The comparison with Columbus is significant as it allows for connections to be made between the two figures and their impact on the development of their respective regions.

Comparisons and Context

This section explores the comparisons between Junípero Serra and other historical figures, such as Christopher Columbus. It also highlights the significance of Serra's role in the context of American history.

Comparisons and Context

• Junípero Serra can be seen as a precursor to the development of California, similar to how other founding figures contributed to the growth of their respective regions.

• Unlike many prominent figures in American history, Serra was not Anglophone or Protestant, which sets him apart in the context of American nationalism.

• The comparison with Christopher Columbus is noteworthy because both were instrumental in shaping their respective territories.

• These comparisons provide insights into Serra's role within California's history and its connections to broader historical narratives.

Characteristics and National Identity

This section discusses how certain characteristics associated with American national identity, such as being Anglophone or Protestant, differ from Junípero Serra's background.

Characteristics and National Identity

• In contrast to prevailing characteristics emphasized in American national identity like being Anglophone or Protestant, Junípero Serra does not fit these criteria.

• These characteristics have been historically highlighted during nation-building processes but may not apply to individuals like Serra who played significant roles outside those parameters.

Significance and Canonization

This section explores Junípero Serra's significance at a national and international level. It also mentions his canonization and the debates surrounding it.

Significance and Canonization

• Junípero Serra holds significance not only at a local level but also nationally within the United States.

• His importance was particularly evident during debates surrounding his canonization in 2015, which garnered attention in the public sphere, especially in the United States.

• Serra's canonization followed his beatification in the 1980s, further solidifying his status as a local figure with national and potentially international dimensions.

• His background as someone who initiated Spanish colonization in California adds to his historical significance.

Double History of Colonization

This section highlights the double history of colonization associated with Junípero Serra and California, involving both Spanish colonization and subsequent annexation by the United States.

Double History of Colonization

• Junípero Serra represents a territory that experienced two waves of colonization. Firstly, through Spanish colonization initiated by establishing missions for evangelization starting from 1769.

• Secondly, California was later conquered and annexed by the United States in 1848. This dual history of conquest has significant implications for understanding Serra's role and legacy.

• The first wave involved indigenous populations while the second wave involved American expansionism.

Biographical Background of Junípero Serra

This section provides a brief overview of Junípero Serra's biography before delving into discussions about statues dedicated to him.

Biographical Background

• Junípero Serra was born on the island of Majorca in Spain's Balearic Islands in 1713.

• He joined the Franciscans in 1730 and was ordained as a priest in 1737.

• In 1746, he embarked on his journey to the Americas, starting in Mexico and later being sent on a mission to evangelize in Baja California.

• Serra's subsequent work led him to Alta California, where he played a significant role in establishing missions.

The summary provided covers the first part of the transcript.

The Role of Junipero Serra in the Colonization of California

This section discusses the role of Junipero Serra, the president of the Franciscan missions in Baja California, in establishing military and religious settlements in what would become Upper California.

Junipero Serra's Enthusiasm for Colonization

• Junipero Serra proposes to President Asselah to send two missionaries to establish settlements in future Upper California.

• Instead of choosing two missionaries from his own group, Serra decides to personally participate in this colonization effort.

Contributions to Missionary Work

• Serra becomes integrated into the Spanish monarchy and plays a significant role in the early colonization of Upper California.

• He helps found nine missions between his departure for Upper California and his death in 1784.

• One notable mission is Mission Carmel near Monterey, considered a significant contribution to Galvez's plan.

Missions as Centers of Evangelization and More

• Missions serve as places for evangelizing local populations but also provide education, agriculture, and craftsmanship training.

• They are important economic centers with a focus on agriculture and livestock production.

Debates Surrounding Mission Autonomy

This section explores conflicts between military governors and missionaries regarding mission autonomy during the early stages of colonization.

Conflicts over Mission Policies

• Military governors seek control over mission boundaries, while missionaries defend mission autonomy.

• Tensions arise due to disagreements over corporal punishment inflicted by missionaries on indigenous people being catechized.

Memorialization of Junipero Serra's Legacy

This section discusses how Junipero Serra's memory is preserved and how it contributes to the maintenance of Spanish heritage in California, even during the American period.

Chronology of Mission Foundations

• Missions were established during the Spanish period and continued into the early Mexican period until secularization.

• Secularization involved transforming missions into parishes and distributing their lands.

Decline of Missions and Economic Importance

• During the 1830s and 1840s, missions experienced a decline, with no active evangelization missions during the American period.

• However, missions remained important economic centers, particularly in agriculture and livestock production.

Influence on American Perception

• Early contacts between American merchants and the Californian coast were often linked to economic exchanges with the missions.

• These interactions shaped American perceptions of California, favoring the perspective of missionaries over Mexican reformers.

Spanish Revival and Mission Mythology

This section explores the Spanish Revival movement in late 19th to early 20th century California, which led to a cultural valorization of mission heritage.

Spanish Revival Movement

• The Spanish Revival movement involved a cultural and architectural appreciation for California's Spanish past.

• It was supported by local elites, notable figures from railway companies, and aimed to promote tourism and real estate development.

Mythology of Missions

• The movement fostered a mythology around missions as heroic symbols that gained popular support for restoration efforts.

• This revivalist sentiment contributed to a devaluation of Mexican policies regarding mission secularization.

Legacy of Junipero Serra

This section discusses how Junipero Serra's legacy influenced perceptions of Mexican-Americans in relation to Americans during the late 19th century onwards.

Racial Inferiority Perception

• A perception of racial inferiority towards Mexicans existed among Americans since at least the 19th century.

• This perception was partly fueled by a devaluation of Mexican policies, including mission secularization.

Conclusion

This section concludes the discussion on Junipero Serra's legacy and the impact of Spanish heritage in California.

Enduring Influence

• The influence of Spanish heritage and the memory of Junipero Serra persisted even after California's annexation by the United States.

• The Spanish Revival movement and the mythology surrounding missions contributed to this enduring influence.

Spanish Influence in California

This section discusses the influence of Spanish culture and heritage in California, particularly focusing on the architectural style and popular festivals that celebrate this heritage.

Spanish Architecture and Festivals

• The Santa Barbara train station is built in a style that reflects the Spanish missions.

• Popular festivals like the Fiesta Days in Santa Barbara showcase and promote the Spanish heritage.

• The emphasis is on highlighting the European and Mediterranean aspects of this heritage.

• Helen Hunt Jackson's novel "Ramona" unintentionally contributed to the romanticized image of Spanish California, although her intention was to criticize US Native American policies.

• Despite its original purpose, "Ramona" became immensely popular and fueled enthusiasm for the Spanish period in California.

Statues Representing Spanish Heritage

This section explores various statues that represent the Spanish heritage in California, including those placed near restored Franciscan missions and public spaces.

Types of Statues

• Numerous statues are installed near or next to restored Franciscan missions.

• Other statues are located in public spaces, such as San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

• In 1907, a statue was commissioned by James Whelan for San Francisco after a major earthquake destroyed parts of the city.

• Los Angeles and Sacramento also have notable statues representing Spanish heritage.

Statue at Capitol Building

• In 1931, California offered a statue of Junipero Serra to be placed at the federal Capitol building in Washington D.C.

• Each state is represented by two statues at the Capitol building, chosen by their respective institutions.

• The statue represents Serra holding a cross with a mission in his hand.

Catholic Heritage Emphasis

• The placement of statues like Serra's reflects efforts to highlight Catholic heritage in America during an ambivalent period towards Catholicism and Spain in the late 19th century.

• The Knights of Columbus, an association founded to showcase the contributions of Catholics in American society, offered a copy of Serra's statue to Los Angeles.

Catholic Heritage and Immigration

This section discusses the efforts to legitimize and emphasize Catholic heritage in the United States, particularly in contrast to other immigrant groups.

Concerns about Immigration

• In the late 19th century, American intellectual and political elites expressed concerns about a new wave of immigration.

• They believed that certain immigrant groups were collectively less capable of participating in the democratic project of the United States.

• Racial considerations played a role, with Anglo-Saxons considering themselves more apt for self-government compared to Latin and Slavic immigrants who were seen as inferior.

Christopher Columbus and Junipero Serra

• The emphasis on Christopher Columbus and Junipero Serra was an attempt by Italian-Americans to challenge the Anglo-Saxon narrative centered around their own heritage.

• Statues like Columbus' in Ohio (1955) and Serra's at the Capitol building were part of this movement to legitimize Catholic heritage in America.

Canonization Efforts for Junipero Serra

This section explores the canonization process for Junipero Serra, which brought him into national and Catholic prominence while sparking debates about his character.

Canonization Process

• In the 1930s, efforts began towards canonizing Junipero Serra, culminating in his beatification in 1981 and canonization in 2015.

• These events elevated him as a significant figure both nationally and within the Catholic Church.

Debates on Character

• The canonization sparked debates regarding Junipero Serra's nature and qualities.

• It is important to understand that these events aimed to highlight his role in Catholic heritage and were part of a broader movement to emphasize Catholicism's contribution to American history.

The transcript provided is a mix of English and French. The summary has been written in English, as per the instructions.

The Impact of Migration on the US Presidential Campaign

This section discusses the influence of migration on the US presidential campaign, particularly in relation to Donald Trump's speech during the Republican primaries in 2015.

Donald Trump's Speech and Targeting Hispanic Immigrants

• In his speech during the Republican primaries in 2015, Donald Trump targeted Hispanic immigrants, specifically Mexican-Americans.

• He referred to them using derogatory terms and accused them of being rapists and criminals.

Connection between Canonization and Pope Francis' Defense of Migrants

• The canonization is closely linked to Pope Francis' defense of migrants in both America and Europe.

• This connection is emphasized in speeches that legitimize and defend the choice of canonization.

• Critics argue that colonization by missionaries led to physical destruction through diseases and cultural destruction through forced conversion.

• Indigenous populations are primarily critical of these missions and are the ones affected by the statues.

Waves of Protests Against Statues

This section explores different waves of protests against statues, with a focus on indigenous populations and their association with other movements such as African-American rights.

Different Waves of Protests

• There have been multiple waves of protests against statues:

• First wave in the 1980s related to statues.

• Second wave coincided with the canonization in 2015.

• Integration into the protest movement against statues during summer 2020:

• June-July 2020 saw inscriptions and overturnings related to African-American rights, particularly after George Floyd's death.

• October 12, 2020, witnessed protests around Columbus Day, highlighting African-American rights and colonialism.

Association with African-American Rights Movement

• The protests against statues also align with the African-American rights movement.

• This association is evident in both the protests following George Floyd's death and the demonstrations around Columbus Day.

Clash between Hispanic Minority Rights and Recognition of European Colonization

This section highlights the clash between defending Hispanic minority rights, particularly Catholic Hispanics, and recognizing the impact of European colonization.

Clash of Interests

• There is a conflict between defending the rights of Hispanic minorities, especially Catholics, and acknowledging the historical consequences of European colonization.

• The recognition encompasses both Anglo-American and Spanish colonialism.

The transcript provided does not have clear timestamps for all sections.