A Connected History of Republican National Anthems: Independence and Nationalism in Latin America

Many national anthems emerged in the heat of combat, the struggle for independence, or civil war between political factions, and they are therefore loaded with emotions. Their intention was to exalt the patriotism of those who were fighting to defend their cause against the enemy, either a former empire or colonial power, the monarchy, or some other political alternative. After a while, some of these national anthems became symbols of a new political community: the national republic, understood as an ensemble of citizens. The lyrics may not have the same effect among listeners when they have left the war behind to live in a context of peace, but if the music has been rooted in the citizens’ souls, it will continue to provoke a feeling of belonging within that given political community. Moreover, the legacies of empire and traditional regimes found their way into the songs of the new republics, since some inherited cultural characteristics, such as language, religion, and territorial boundaries that continue to be prevalent. Emancipation and decolonization are processes that are visible in the evolution of national anthems. This chapter examines a series of republican songs from Latin America during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, seeking to establish both connecting points and particularities for each region.