Synopses & Reviews
During the second half of the 19th century several forces in the United States, Latin America, and Europe converged to set the stage for the establishment of a more permanent relationship between the United States and Latin America. The key factors--security, economics, and modernization--created both commonalities and conflicts between and among regions. In this volume, scholars examine not only the domestic but also the geopolitical forces that encouraged and guided development of diplomatic relations in this rapidly changing period.
As the contributors note, by the end of the century, economic interests dominated the relationship that eventually developed. This period saw the building of a string of U.S. naval bases in Latin America and the Caribbean, the rapid industrialization of the United States and the development of a substantial export market, the entrance of many U.S. entrepreneurs into Latin American countries, and the first two inter-American conferences. By the century's end, the United States appeared as the dominant partner in the relationship, a perception that earned it the "imperialist" label.
This volume untangles this complex relationship by examining U.S. relations with Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Central America, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay from the perspective of both the United States and the individual Latin American countries.
A companion volume toand#160;United States-Latin American Relations, 1800-1850: The Formative Generations, edited by T. Ray Shurbutt, this book establishes a historical perspective crucial to understanding contemporary diplomatic relations.
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Review
"A very useful addition to the literature on 19th-century U.S.-Latin American relations." and#151;Ralph Lee Woodward, Tulane University
"Taken together, these case studies provide a judicious and balanced critique of hemispheric relations. The authors carefully consider the merits and liabilities of U.S. policy as well as the internal dynamics of the Latin American nations themselves." and#151;Allen Wells, Bowdoin College and#160;
Review
"A very useful addition to the literature on 19th-century U.S.-Latin American relations."—Ralph Lee Woodward, Tulane University
Review
and#147;The successor to
United States-Latin American Relations, 1800and#150;1850: The Formative Generations, edited by T. Ray Shurbutt (1991), this new collection of essays examines hemispheric relations during a period in which both the United States and the nations of Latin America had to establish themselves within a more economically-integrated world order.and#8221;
and#151;The Americas
and#147;Reading the book is worthwhile for those interested in Latin American economic history, as it brings together a great amount of detail and numerous facts that can be useful for better understanding the situations faced, and choices made, by economic actors during this period.and#8221;
and#151;Journal of Economic Historyand#160;
Review
and#147;and#201;ste es un libro fascinador, rico en detalles.and#8221; [This is a fascinating book, rich in detail.]
and#151;Iberoamericana
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and#147;One virtue of this collection is that it balances the emphasis on resistance to Washington that completely dominates so many works (e.g. Peter Smith, Talons of the Eagle [1996]) by examining Latin American strategies of collaboration to manipulate Washington in pursuit of specific geopolitical goals.and#8221;
and#151;The Business History Review
Synopsis
United Statesand#150;Latin American Relations, 1850and#150;1903 is a collection of essays that provide an in-depth analysis of the developingand#160;relationship between the Americas during the critical period from the Mexican War to the Panama Canal treaty of 1903.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [283]-288) and index.
About the Author
Thomas M. Leonard is a professor emeritus of history at the University of North Florida and author of James K. Polk: A Clear and Unquestionable Destiny and Encyclopedia of Cubanand#150;United States Relations.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Mexico: conflicting self-interests / Don M. Coerver -- Cuba: sugar and independence / Louis A. P?rez, Jr. -- Colombia: troubled friendship / Helen Delpar -- Central America: the search for economic development / Thomas M. Leonard -- Venezuela: wars, claims, and the cry for a stronger Monroe Doctrine / William L. Harris -- Peru: dominance of private businessmen / Lawrence A. Clayton -- Argentina: clash of global visions I / Joseph S. Tulchin -- Chile: clash of global visions II / William F. Sater -- Brazil: on the periphery I / Joseph Smith -- Paraguay and Uruguay: on the periphery II / Jos? B. Fern?ndez and Jennifer M. Zimnoch -- Select bibliography -- Contributors -- Index.