HIST 2910A: Latin American Revolutions
Winter 2024
Instructor: Prof. Mark Anderson
Introduction: This course examines the history of some of the key revolutions in Latin America in the twentieth century. We begin with Mexico in 1910, from which subsequent revolutions in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador (and others) roughly modeled themselves. We assess various and competing revolutionary goals and expectations, as well as successes and failures. Crucially, we also consider closely how the United States responded—and why.
Broadly, the revolutions may be understood as reactions to colonialism, which reaches well beyond the countries listed above to include Canada and the United States. For this reason, a study of Latin American revolutions offers useful ways to think about colonialism at home.
Class Format: We meet once each week for three hours. The delivery format is mostly lecture style, but ideally will also include space and time for groups discussions of the course material.
Aims and Goals: Many of the issues that gave rise to revolutions in Latin America have existed elsewhere in the hemisphere, including Canada and the United States. So why haven’t revolutions been more widespread? Such queries will come into clearer focus and broaden your understanding of what nationalism means and how it both enlivens and limits possibilities for change.
Assessment: In-class midterm exam, paper, and final take-home exam.
Text: Mark Danner, Massacre at El Mozote; Lester Langley, The Banana Men; Rigoberta Menchú, I Rigoberta.
Questions? Please email me at: mark.anderson@carleton.ca