Charlip-Burns, Latin America, 11/E

The eleventh edition of this pioneering text continues to weave a common theme through the diversity that characterizes Latin America. Julie Charlip’s intriguing narrative of the history of the region traces the paradox of poor people inhabiting rich lands, the elites who have sought to retain power for centuries, and the movements that struggle against them. The framework provides a central story that highlights connections throughout the discussions of historical developments within specific countries.

The societies, cultures, economies, and politics of the region come to life in this interpretive history. The story begins with conquest and 300 years of imperial rule. The established patterns resonated throughout Latin America’s history—a hierarchical society, structured by race and ethnicity, with power and wealth in the hands of a few and dominated from abroad. New nations emerged, as did revolutions and dictatorships. The twenty-first century brought prosperity to more of the population, but Latin America remains the region of the greatest economic inequality in the world.

Primary source documents follow each chapter; they are thoughtfully introduced and accompanied by discussion questions. The documents reflect multiple perspectives. The viewpoints expressed were affected by religion, ethnicity, race, class, gender, and material conditions, as well as political and social relationships. The readings offer an opportunity to understand how events were experienced by individuals.