Manila, 1645

Before the mid-seventeenth century earthquakes, Manila was a bustling city with a diverse population and a complex history. Manila,1645 reconstructs this city's history, emphasizing its significance in Southeast Asia and its position between the Chinese and Sulú Seas. It also explores urban planning, housing, architecture, and social networks, making it a valuable resource for students and scholars of early modern history, global history, and architectural history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 09 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Before the devastating earthquakes of the mid-seventeenth century, Manila was a thriving city with a rich and complex history. Reconstructing Manila's past offers valuable insights into the city's development and the factors that shaped its identity. In his book, Manila 1645: Urban Life and the Making of the Spanish Empire in Southeast Asia, historian Juan E. Valdez del Rio explores the city's history from a multi-layered perspective, emphasizing its significance within Southeast Asia and its role as a hub of commercial activity.

Valdez del Rio begins by situating Manila within the broader context of Southeast Asia, highlighting its strategic location between the Chinese and the Sulú Seas. This geographical position played a crucial role in shaping Manila's economy and culture, as it facilitated trade with various Asian nations. The city was also central to the commercial routes used by Armenian, Dutch, and Portuguese traders, making it a bustling center of commerce and exchange.

Understanding Manila's historical and geographical context is essential for comprehending its later cultural dialogues. Valdez del Rio delves into urban planning, housing, and architecture, examining how these aspects of the city reflected its social and economic structures. He explores the different neighborhoods and districts of Manila, including the walled city of Intramuros, which served as the Spanish colonial capital. The book also sheds light on the social networks and hierarchies that existed within the city, highlighting the role of the elite and the influence of religion on daily life.

Manila 1645 is a valuable resource for students and scholars interested in early modern history, global history, and architectural history. The book provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of Manila's past, challenging traditional narratives and revealing the complex web of factors that shaped the city's development. By examining Manila's history from a multi-layered perspective, Valdez del Rio offers a fresh perspective on the city's past and its significance within the broader context of Southeast Asia.

In conclusion, Manila 1645: Urban Life and the Making of the Spanish Empire in Southeast Asia is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the city's history. By contextualizing Manila within the broader framework of Southeast Asia and examining its economic, social, and cultural aspects, Valdez del Rio provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of early modern history and global history. The book will appeal to students and scholars alike, and its insights will continue to be relevant for years to come.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367433369