About Charles V's Palace at the Alhambra?

Question

Charles V's palace at the Alhambra made a potent statement of victory when it was constructed on the grounds of the former Moorish palace. Can you think of another occasion when building on a particular site sent a similar political message?

Answer 1

During the 1780 s the new Nation of America was wrestling over a site for a Capitol City. America had several Principle Cities worthy of consideration. Philladelphia was the home of Liberty Hall having hosted the Continental Congress. Boston Was the 'cradle of Liberty' and a prime seaport. New York was a bustling port and everyone agreed it would soon surpass Philly as a seaport. Williamsburg was a backwater scarcely considered. But a strong argument could be made for Charleston South Carolina and everyone agreed Savanah Georgia was an attractive option.

Despite cries for 'Unity,' and the obvious need for a Federal Republic, there was much disharmony among Congressmen and the Exeutive Branch. Cynics ruled the roost. Especially Old Bejamin Franklin. As for John Adams and Charles Cotesworth Pickney, they earned a rightful reputation for being sour pusses. Washington was tired of the whole argument. He was a General and didn't see why the Capitol could not be whereever Washington was. Two hundred years ago Washington was already planning for Air Force One and an I-Phone.
It would have been 'easy' to detach Philladephia or New York from their respective States and set them up as Federal Districts. Sly Virginian Washington was a Country Boy. He was maganaminous toward enemies & friends impartially but in his heart he had reasons to 'dislike' New York and Philly, and so it was that Washington, with Adams pulling strings behind him, talked Congress into Buying a SWAMP. A patch of bog that farmers had given up trying to farm.

And so it was that the Capitol of America was built in a swamp and congressmen and now women have been wallowing in it for centuries.

Great question by the way - - - I had to really think. Wow, will stil be thinking about it. What other examples are there - - - ??

Pax-----

PS Alexander Hamilton was so certain that he had Washington 'sold' on making New York a Federal City he got burned on real estate - - - a bone of contention thought I should mention....

Answer 2

When Hernan Cortes defeated the Aztec empire, he had the Templo Mayor (the highest Amerindian structure found by Europeans in the Western Hemisphere, and the center of the Universe for the Aztecs) destroyed. Then used the same stones of the temple to build the Cathedral on the same spot, as well as several Spanish government buildings around the main square.

After winning the Spanish-American War, US troops occupied Cuba (1898-1902) and a US military Governor ruled the island. General Brooks immediately had the bullfighting stadium (Plaza de toros) demolished and had a baseball stadium built on the site.

I guess this shows that, in more contemporary times, cultural domination is as powerful a statement as religious or political conquest. And less offensive for the defeated party.