Latin history, sometimes referred to as Latin American history, is a field of study that seeks to advance knowledge about the development of Latin America, especially in the historical, cultural, social, economic, geographic, and religious areas. The Latin American history curriculum may cover anything from ancient to modern Latin America. It can also be incorporated with other courses such as history of the Western Hemisphere or America. Such course work would enable students to develop a comprehensive view of Latin America and the contributions of Latin Americans to the evolution of mankind.
Latin American history, unlike that of Europe, tends to have a slightly different political and ethnic make up with significant differences between states. Latin American countries tend to form coalitions with neighboring countries, making alliances against common threats such as those posed by drug trafficking. As such, Latin American history includes conflicts between the more progressive Latin American nations, such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Venezuela, and more conservative Latin American nations, like Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, and Ecuador. These conflicts have prompted Latin American governments to implement social and educational programs that promote unity, economic growth, and environmental conservation.
Latin American history has also featured an important contribution to the formation of the United States as a melting pot of diverse cultural influences. For example, according to some Latin American authors and artists, much of the rise of capitalism in the nineteenth century was due to the civil war that erupted between the Latin American governments and the British Empire. Latin American literature and music, in particular, have had a profound impact on American music, particularly during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Latin American countries have also been crucial players in the immigration debates of recent decades, particularly when it comes to providing sanctuary for illegal immigrants. A number of Latin American countries have turned out to be major sources of illegal immigrants in the United States, contributing to a wave of illegal immigration that the United States has had to deal with, most recently with the surge of Central Americans coming across the border.
Latin America has also played a significant role in world history, especially in terms of global trade. In particular, Latin America’s relationship with China has been a long and important one. While China has been a major trading partner with Latin America in recent years, many Latin American countries have sought improved relations with the largest trading partner in the world, the United States. During the last century, bilateral trade between the US and Latin America grew from a few billion dollars per year to over a trillion dollars per year. This stunning growth was primarily a result of America’s alliance with Chile and Argentina during the cold war.
Latin America is also home to many ethnic groups, including Arawaks, ahuasas, Moquis, and Garifuna. Latin American countries have in the past, either integrated or pursued separate nation-states, such as Dominican Republic, Mexican states, and Haiti. Latin America’s involvement in World War I marked the beginning of Latin American involvement in world affairs, and the US remained neutral in the war. Latin American countries later took an active role in the shaping of the globe after the war, hosting the first internationally recognized Independence Day celebrations.
It’s amazing how quickly the Latin American people can assimilate and intermingle with the rest of the world, given their own historical and geographic differences. Latin American countries are now a significant US Trading Partner, trades largely in agricultural products, but also in services, electronics, automobiles, clothing, etc. This economic interdependence has made Latin America the fastest-growing region for the United States in terms of GDP growth. As long as Latin America continues to evolve and excel, there’s no reason why the United States shouldn’t continue to be an economic powerhouse – both literally and figuratively.
