Latin America since Independence

This book offers an innovative, thematic approach to the history of Latin America since independence. It traces continuity and change in colonial legacies, showing how crucial they have been in shaping contemporary political systems, economies, societies, and religious institutions in a richly diverse region.

Thomas C. Wright is distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Robert L. Smale is associate professor of history at the University of Missouri.

Acknowledgments Acronyms Map of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Map of South America Introduction Part I: Colonial Roots 1Origins of the Colonial Legacies Part II: Independence and Its Challenges, 1790s-1870s 2The Independence of Latin America 3The Age of Caudillos Reflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1790s-1870s Part III: Exports, Oligarchies, and Yankees, 1870s-1930 4The Export Economies 5Political Consolidation and Social Change 6Rise of the Yankee Reflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1870s-1930 Part IV: Revolution, Depression, and Cold War, 1930-1959 7The Mexican Revolution 8Depression, Political Change, and Cold War Reflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1930-1959 Part V: Revolution and Reaction, 1959-2000 9The Cuban Revolution 10 The Cuban Revolution, Latin America, and the United States 11 Repression, State Terrorism, and Neoliberalism Reflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1959-2000 Part VI: Contemporary Latin America, 2000-Present 12 The Colonial Legacies in the Twenty-First Century Reflections on the Colonial Legacies, 2000-Present Conclusion: Colonial Legacies and Today's Latin America Select Bibliography: Books in English Index