Civic Buildings after the Spanish-American War

The book "Civic Buildings after the Spanish-American War" explores the US Federal Beaux-Arts architecture built in its newly acquired territories after the 1898 Spanish-American War, highlighting its connection to US exceptionalism and expansionism. It compares examples in the US and Latin America and examines architectural and urban design in other Progressive Era US possessions. The author argues that these buildings serve as evidence of the US's geopolitical and commercial meddling in the Americas.

Format: Hardback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

Following the 1898 Spanish-American War, the United States embarked on a significant project of constructing federal buildings in its newly acquired territories, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Over a century later, many of these grand Beaux-Arts-style edifices stand as testament to the enduring legacy of American exceptionalism and expansionism. In her book titled Civic Buildings after the Spanish-American War, author Maria Eugenia Achurra G. delves into the architecture and urban design of these civic buildings as a backdrop for the United States' unique identity and territorial ambitions.

The book begins by defining exceptionalism and its profound impact on US Federal Beaux-Arts architecture. It explores how this architectural style, characterized by its ornate grandeur and classical motifs, became a symbol of American power and prestige. Subsequent chapters compare specific examples of Beaux-Arts civic architecture in both the continental US and Latin America, highlighting the regional variations and influences. The book also delves into architectural and urban design from other US possessions of the Progressive Era, such as the former Panama Canal Zone and occupied territories like the Dominican Republic.

Through a comprehensive review of the work of relevant designers and architects, Achurra G. makes a compelling argument that these architectural examples epitomize the rich, expansionist intentions of twentieth-century Progressive America. These lingering buildings serve as intriguing material evidence of the United States' geopolitical, historical, and commercial meddling in the internal affairs of the Americas and beyond. By examining the architectural and urban design of these civic buildings, Achurra G. sheds light on the complex interplay between power, identity, and cultural heritage in the shaping of the modern world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496847577