I have strong interests in Caribbean and Latin American history, and a fascination for
the global history of empire and race, all of which have been key factors in my
decision to apply for Warwick's MA in History. Not only is this course highly
flexible, allowing me to select appropriate option modules, but it benefits from the
great success of the School in Comparative American Studies. Critically important is the
structured core module, Theory, Method and Skill, which will equip me with invaluable
historiographical and research skills for use in my master's dissertation and doctoral
study beyond.
I believe my BA in History from Warwick should prepare me well for this course.
Having benefited enormously from the experience of studying abroad during my
second year, I maintained high standards and achieved first class marks in all eight
undergraduate degree units. Moreover, my growing interest in colonial history was
reflected in focused module choices, including Caribbean History in a Global
Perspective and Imperialism and Independence in Spanish America.
For a master's dissertation, I hope to study the intricacies of resistance among people of
African descent, slave and free, in late colonial Spanish America (particularly
Venezuela and Columbia) and the colonial Caribbean. I will take a circum-Caribbean
approach in order to weave an in- depth comparative analysis spanning British, French
and particularly Hispanic colonial spheres. This comparison between mainland Latin
America and the Caribbean is one I have found underdeveloped in the literature and
which I would like to explore. I intend to research the reciprocal relationship
between these regions in areas of revolutionary communication, structural links
and mutual influences. I want to ask: What were the networks of revolutionary
communication in and between the archipelago and the mainland? To what extent did
news of resistance offshore incite rebellions onshore? Can we quantify that
influence? This interest developed from my undergraduate dissertation which,
amongst several things, found that people of African descent fought with the
Creoles in the Spanish American wars of independence in order to obtain their
personal freedom and racial equality. In this, the symbol of Haiti was powerful
imagery, suggesting a strong Atlantic resonance surrounding the Haitian Revolution.
I will draw on historians including Marixa Lasso, Aline Helg, David Geggus, David
Gaspar, Laurent Dubois and Jeremy Popkin, as well as make use of Simon Bolivar's
correspondence with Alexandre Petion and his views on Toussaint L'Ouverture. I am
committed to advancing my linguistic skills for this purpose, having studied
intermediate and advanced Spanish at university and basic French in my current
employment.
It is my sincere ambition to read history at doctoral level, and a master's degree from
Warwick University would provide an invaluable foundation. While the dissertation
element will prepare me for in-depth historical research, essential historical skills will
be sharpened by the core module and the postgraduate history conference will offer a
unique platform from which to share ideas and listen to others. Consequently, I
cannot imagine a more valuable master's experience for ensuring I reach my academic
potential.