Synopses & Reviews
This popular book, now in its fifth edition, is a lively interpretive history that continues to be one of Oxford's most successful textbooks. Modern Latin America, 5/e has been thoroughly revised and expanded throughout. The authors have added sociocultural sections and boxes to nearly every chapter. The boxes cover such diverse areas as soccer in Brazil, Santería in Cuba, and the recent popularity of Latin music in the United States, all of which give this edition a distinctly new and exciting flavor. All political and economic information has been brought up-to-date and, as in earlier editions, the authors use an in-depth case study approach that guides readers through the major countries of Latin America, highlighting central themes including European-New World interaction, racial mixtures, military takeovers, and U.S. intervention in the area. With an insightful look into the future, Modern Latin America, 5/e will continue to be an exceptional text for undergraduate courses on contemporary Latin American history, society, and politics.
Synopsis
The leading survey in its field, this lively interpretive history has been brought up to date in all areas, especially in its treatment of recent developments in Central America. The new edition also features a completely new chapter on the Caribbean. As before, the authors illustrate such central themes as European-Indian and European-African interaction, large-scale immigration in the late 19th and 20th centuries, populist political leadership, military takeovers, and U.S. intervention in the region, examining the influence of economic forces and social tensions on political conflict in each case and discussing recent economic developments in clear, jargon-free language. Lucidly written and enhanced by insights from social science, Modern Latin America remains the preeminent treatment of this vitally important subject.
Synopsis
The leading survey in its field, this lively interpretive history has been brought up to date in all areas, especially in its treatment of recent developments in Central America. The new edition also features a completely new chapter on the Caribbean. As before, the authors illustrate such central themes as European-Indian and European-African interaction, large-scale immigration in the late 19th and 20th centuries, populist political leadership, military takeovers, and U.S. intervention in the region, examining the influence of economic forces and social tensions on political conflict in each case and discussing recent economic developments in clear, jargon-free language. Lucidly written and enhanced by insights from social science, Modern Latin America remains the preeminent treatment of this vitally important subject.
Synopsis
This popular text, now in its fourth edition, is a lively interpretive history that has been brought up to date in all areas, including the ongoing war against international drug trafficking, the difficulties and promises of NAFTA, the increasing trend toward democratic and pluralist politics, and the large-scale immigration of Latin Americans into the United States. As in earlier editions, the authors use an in-depth case-study approach that guides students through the major countries of Latin America, highlighting central themes such as European-New World interaction, racial mixtures, military takeovers, and U.S. intervention in the region. Completely expanded and updated throughout, this edition includes a broad overview of the region during the 1990s and provides a revised epilogue that takes stock of the recent developments, offering insights as to what the future holds for Latin America.
About the Author
Thomas E. Skidmore is Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Professor of Modern Latin American History and Director of the Center for Modern Latin American Studies at Brown University.
Peter H. Smith is Professor of Political Science, Simón Bolívar Professor of Latin American Studies, and Director of Latin American Studies at the University of California, San Diego.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Prologue: Why Latin America?
Interpretations of Latin America
Analytical Themes in This Book
One. The Colonial Foundations, 1492-1880s
The European Context
Spanish America: From Conquest to Colony, 1492-1600
Spanish America: The Transformation of Colonial Society, 1600-1750
Portugese America: A Different World?
The Roots of Independence
The Colonial Response
Achieving Independence
The Brazilian Path to Independence
The Aftermath of Independence, 1830-1850
The Pull of the International Economy, 1850-1880s
Two. The Transformation of Modern Latin America, 1880s-1990s
Phase 1: Initiation of Export-Import Growth, 1880-1900
Phase 2: Expansion of Export-Import Growth, 1900-1930
Phase 3: Import-Substituting Industrialization, 1930-1960s
Phase 4: Stagnation in Import-Substituting Growth, 1960s-1980s
Phase 5: Crisis, Debt, and Democracy, 1980s-1990s
Women and Society
A Framework for Comparison
Three. Argentina: Prosperity, Deadlock, and Change
The Struggle over Nationhood
Overview: Economic Growth and Social Change
The Political System: Consensus and Reform
The Military Turns Back the Clock
Peronism and Peron
The Military Stewardship
The Failure of Developmental Reformism
The Bureaucratic-Authoritarian Solution
The Peronists Back in Power
The Military Returns
Transition to Democracy
Four. Chile: Socialism, Repression, and Democracy
Overview: Economic Growth and Social Change
Politics and Parliament
From Instability to Popular Front
The Era of Party Politics
Socialism via Democracy?
The Pinochet Regime
Redemocratization
Five. Brazil: Development for Whom?
Dom Pedro I (1822-1831)
Dom Pedro II (1840-1889)
The End of the Empire
Overview: Economic Growth and Social Change
The End of the Empire
Overview: Economic Growth and Social Change
The First Republic (1889-1930)
Getulio Vargas and the Estado Novo
The Second Republic (1946-1964)
Military Rule
From Liberalization to Redemocratization
Six. Peru: Soldiers, Oligarchs, and Indians
The Independence Period
The Guano Age
Overview: Economic Growth and Social Change
Oligarchic Rule
Leguia: The Oncenio
The Reformist Critique
Flirting with Alternatives
Economic Liberalism and Political Vacillation
The Military Revolution
Back to Normal?
Seven. Mexico: The Taming of a Revolution
Mexico after Independence
The North American Invasion
The Diaz Era: Progress at a Price
The Mexican Revolution
Institutionalizing the Revolution
Stability, Growth-and Rigidity
North American Free Trade
Technocracy in Crisis
Eight. Cuba: Late Colony, First Socialist State
Dubious Independence
Overview: Economic Growth and Social Change
Politics: Corruption and Decay
Fidel Castro and the Making of the Revolution
Defining the Revolution
Decade of Experiment
Consolidating the Regime
The Struggle for Survival
Nine. The Caribbean: Colonies and Mini-States
The Colonial Period: Conquest and Competition
Overview: Economic Growth and Social Change
Haiti: Slave Republic, Voodoo Dictatorship
The Dominican Republic: Unfinished Experiment
Jamaica: Runaways and Revolutionary Socialism
Puerto Rico: From Settler Colony to Capitalist Showcase
Lesser Antilles: Struggle of the Micro-States
Ten. Central America: Colonialism, Dictatorship and Revolution
Colonial Background
Independence: The Struggle for Unification
Rafael Carrera and Conservative Supremacy
Liberal Theory and "Republican Dictatorships"
Overview: Economic Growth and Social Change
Panama: A Nation and a Zone
Costa Rica: Fragile Democracy
Nicaragua: From Dynasty to Revolution
Honduras: Rule by Military
El Salvador: From Stability to Insurgence
Guatemala: Reaction and Repression
Eleven. Latin America, The United States, and The World
From Independence to Pan Americanism
The Rise of U.S. Influence
The Consolidation of U.S. Influence
The Expression of U.S. Influence
The Nationalist Impulse
The Revolutionary Option
Democratic Reformers and the Alliance for Progress
Development and Debt
The End of the Cold War
Regional Economic Integration
The Social Agenda
Hispanic Culture within the United States
Epilogue: What Future for Latin America?
Preparing to Predict: Comparative Analysis
Dimensions of Change: Demography and Economics
Looking Ahead: Political Responses
Latin America: Closing the Socialist Route
The Prospects for Development Under Capitalism
What Will Happen to the Non-European Culuters in Latin America?
The Potential for Regional Conflict
Latin America's Contribution to the World
Statistical Appendix
Heads of State
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index