En aquest llibre s'ha defugit la temptació de convertir la història contemporània d'Amèrica en un mosaic inconnex de petites històries nacionals de cada país, i s'han abordat, per contra, i de forma innovadora, els grans problemes històrics continentals des de finals del segle XVIII fins a l'actualitat més estricta.

Volume V of the History of Humanity is concerned with the 'early modern' period: the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It gives an extensive overview of this crucial stage in the rise of the West as well as examining the development of cultures and societies elsewhere. Structure The volume is divided into two main parts. The first is thematic, discussing the geography, chronology and sociology of cultural change in this period. The second is regional, less theoretical and more empirical; it stresses cultural diversity, the links between different activities in a given region, and the importance of social contexts and local circumstances. Each chapter has a bibliography which directs the reader to sources of further information. The volume is extensively illustrated with line drawings and plates, and is comprehensively indexed

While not commonly centered in the Cold War story, Latin America was intensely affected by that historic conflict. In this book, available for the first time in English, Vanni Pettina makes sense of the region's diverse, complex political experiences of the Cold War era. Cross-fertilized by Latin American and Anglophone historiography, his account shifts from an overemphasis on U.S. interventions toward a comprehensive Latin American perspective. Connecting Cold War events to the region's political polarizations, revolutionary mobilizations, draconian state repression, and brutal violence in almost every sphere, Pettina demonstrates that Latin America's Cold War was rarely cold. In the midst of the tumult, some countries showed resilience and capacity to bend the disruptive dynamics to their advantage. Mexico, for example, drew on a mix of nationalism and anticommunism, aided by the United States, to achieve strong economic growth and political stability. Cuba, in contrast, used Soviet protection to shield its revolution from the United States and to strengthen its capacity to project power in Latin America and beyond. Interweaving global and local developments along an insightful analytical frame, Pettina reveals the distinct consequences of the Cold War in the Western Hemisphere.

This volume explores several notable themes related to foreign affairs in Latin America and the reconfiguration of the power of the different states in the region. It offers insightful historical perspectives for understanding national, regional and global issues from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day, from analysis of the traditional "hegemony" of the United States over Latin America through its military, and political influence due to the presence of the European Union, Russia, and China. These views cannot be reduced to a simplistic vision of the dominant and subordinate; rather, they attempt to seek lines of continuity by highlighting traditional interpretations of new scenarios such as regional trading and security blocs. The volume refuses to impose a traditional and uncritical linear historical narrative onto the reader but instead proposes an alternative interpretation of the past and its relation to the present. Finally, the growing importance of international mechanisms in enabling the success of certain Latin American regimes is also highlighted, in particular the influence of regional diffusion through international organizations or other networks.

This volume explores several notable themes related to political processes in Latin America and offers insightful historical perspectives to understand national, regional, and global issues in the continent from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. The collected essays focus on Latin American politics such as: political cycles, left-wing political parties, nationalism, progressivism, crime and resistance, violence, authoritarianism, and relationships with the United States, Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay. The perspectives of the chapters presented an attempt to seek lines of continuity by highlighting traditional interpretations of new scenarios and refusing to impose a traditional and uncritical linear historical narrative. The fundamental objective of the volume is to provide a rational and critical political-historical explanation of Latin America since the early 20th century with the purpose, among others, of deepening understanding of the present.

This book includes concise descriptions of the history of 28 nations on the American continent, and focuses on features that hinder authentic development, particularly ethnic or class conflicts and wealth distribution. Its purpose is to stimulate an appreciation of history and cultural values, thus reinforcing the harmony of social relations. Essential elements of history, economics and sociology are presented in a plain and easily readable form, allowing the book to be directed to a non-specialized audience of individuals and students at the bachelors level in both developed and developing countries. The leadership of new generations will need to consider new development models based on balanced compromises between economic and technological progress and the most basic aspirations of society. Each chapter includes a brief presentation of data on the territory and the ethnic composition and current socio-economic situation of a particular American nation. They also provide a scholarly description of the main historical events, and end with a brief insight into how the successes or difficulties of the individual country relate to cultural and historical events and to the evolution of that country’s national identity or, indeed, identities.