STRI Zoom Webinar: Marixa Lasso

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of this presentation lies in its methodological innovation and its clear synthesis of recent historiography. Lasso convincingly argues for using criminal archives as a window into the political consciousness of non-elite groups, thereby democratizing the history of independence. She effectively demonstrates how ideology and socio-economic conditions interweave: for instance, the Cádiz constitution created a citizenship debate that had different local outcomes, while Panama’s royalism is explained by concrete economic benefits. Her argumentation is solid and grounded in specific cases (e.g., the participation of Afro-descendants in early elections, the content of local Acts). She also builds a compelling bridge between academic knowledge and public engagement, showing how exhibitions can translate complex historical findings for a broader audience, which adds an original and reflexive layer to her narrative.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is high. Lasso explicitly cites her use of primary sources, including criminal archives and municipal acts, and references established historians such as Alfredo Castillero Calvo to support her interpretation of Panama’s royalist position. Her own published books, ‘Myths of Harmony’ and ‘Erased’, serve as authoritative foundations for the lecture. The title of the video is perfectly aligned with the content, as it is indeed a webinar presentation by Marixa Lasso focused on Panamanian independence. The visual and archival evidence she presents, including illustrations and document quotes, strengthens the credibility of her narrative. The absence of peer review in this format is mitigated by her established academic credentials and the institutional support of the Smithsonian.

The title accurately reflects the content: a webinar hosted by STRI featuring historian Marixa Lasso discussing Panamanian independence from Spain.

9/10

The speaker is a distinguished historian and director of CIAC-AIP, with award-winning academic publications. The presentation draws systematically on archival research (criminal records, municipal acts) and established historiography, though it represents an expert webinar rather than a peer-reviewed synthesis.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction of the speaker and her background, including her books and awards.
• 10:00Explanation of her methodology: using criminal archives to study the political thought of popular groups.
• 16:00Description of her experiences with public history, including museum exhibitions and collaborations with artists.
• 25:00Discussion of the crisis of the Spanish monarchy and the shift of sovereignty from the king to the people.
• 35:00Analysis of the Cádiz Constitution, its exclusion of Afro-descendants, and Panama's pragmatic approach to these laws.
• 45:00Explanation of Panama's royalist economy and the shift to independence due to forced military levies.
• 55:00Examination of the diversity of independence Acts, highlighting differences between towns like Villa de Los Santos and Pedasí.

• Erased: The Untold Story of the Panama Canal — Mentioned as her book that won awards and provided context for her scholarship on Panama's history.
• Myths of Harmony — Her first book based on her doctoral research, focusing on race and independence in the Atlantic world.
• Works of Alfredo Castillero Calvo — Referenced as a key authority on Panama's royalist position during the independence period.