Imperiofilias and White Legends. The Battle for the History of Early Modern Spain

Volume 50 Issue 1

Author(s):

Antonio Feros - University of Pennsylvania

Recommended Citation:

Feros, Antonio (2026) “Imperiofilias and White Legends. The Battle for the History of Early Modern Spain,” Bulletin for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies: Vol. 50 : Iss. 1 , Article 1.

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Abstract:

In this keynote address, “Imperiofilias and White Legends: The Battle for the History of Early Modern Spain,” Antonio Feros analyzes the politicization of historical revisionism in Spain, particularly around the conquest of the Americas and early modern imperial narratives. He distinguishes legitimate scholarly revisionism from its reactionary misuse by far-right actors who revive Francoist and 19th-century myths—glorifying the Reconquista, colonization, and “Hispanidad” as civilizing missions. Feros critiques works like Imperiofobia and recent documentaries for promoting “white legend” versions of history and warns of a broader cultural counterrevolution that threatens academic freedom and democratic pluralism. He calls for a critical, inclusive historiography that embraces complexity and diversity rather than monolithic nationalist myths.

Tags: Cultural wars, Francoist historiography, Historical revisionism, Politics of history, Spanish Empire, Vox, White legend