The Idea of Race in Latin America, 1870-1940 / Edition 1

by Richard Graham

Overview

From the mid-nineteenth century until the 1930s, many Latin American leaders faced a difficult dilemma regarding the idea of race. On the one hand, they aspired to an ever-closer connection to Europe and North America, where, during much of this period, "scientific" thought condemned nonwhite races to an inferior category. Yet, with the heterogeneous racial makeup of their societies clearly before them and a growing sense of national identity impelling consideration of national futures, Latin American leaders hesitated. What to do? Whom to believe?

Latin American political and intellectual leaders' sometimes anguished responses to these dilemmas form the subject of The Idea of Race in Latin America. Thomas Skidmore, Aline Helg, and Alan Knight have each contributed chapters that succinctly explore various aspects of the story in Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, and Mexico. While keenly alert to the social and economic differences that distinguish one Latin American society from another, each author has also addressed common issues that Richard Graham ably draws together in a brief introduction. Written in a style that will make it accessible to the undergraduate, this book will appeal as well to the sophisticated scholar.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780292738577
Publisher:	University of Texas Press
Publication date:	04/01/1990
Series:	LLILAS Critical Reflections on Latin America Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	143
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.34(d)

About the Author

Richard Graham is Frances Higginbotham Nalle Centennial Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Texas at Austin.

Table of Contents

• Preface
• 1. Introduction (Richard Graham)
• 2. Racial Ideas and Social Policy in Brazil, 1870-1940 (Thomas E. Skidmore)
• 3. Race in Argentina and Cuba, 1880-1930: Theory, Policies, and Popular Reaction (Aline Helg)
• 4. Racism, Revolution, and Indigenismo: Mexico, 1910-1940 (Alan Knight)
• Bibliography
• Index

Editorial Reviews

...an important contribution to the far too limited literature on race and racialist thinking in Latin America.

Hispanic American Historical Review

...an important contribution to the far too limited literature on race and racialist thinking in Latin America.-- "Hispanic American Historical Review"

From the Publisher

Three essays (accessible to undergraduates) on the paradoxes and ambiguities of the "idea of race" in the political and intellectual history of Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, and Mexico. Paper edition (ISBN 0-292-73857-9), $7.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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