Granada, Spain - Course Descriptions - History of America (Contemporary) (HS)

Course Information

Contact Hours and Credits

Availability

Summary

Offered only in second semester, this course covers the historical development of the Latin-American countries from their independence up until the present-day. Throughout well-characterized periods the most relevant aspects of their nationality are studied: the formation of the State, the political evolution, social classes, economic areas, without forgetting burning questions such as the demographic boom, the foreign debt, or the indigenous problem. The objective is a better understanding of the causes and determining factors of contemporary Latin-America.

Syllabus
1. Periodization of the contemporary history of Latin-America. Problems and criteria for periodization.- The great periods of Contemporary History.- General characteristics.
2. Independence. Interpretations concerning this period.- Domestic and foreign causes..- Phases of the independentist Movement.
3. Tyranny and militarism. Origins and significance.- The individualist regimes.- Towards the formation of the State.
4. Reformism and liberalism in Latin-America. The liberal constitutions.-Political stability and economic growth.- Immigration and colonization of the unoccupied areas.
5. Positivism, oligarchy and dictatorship. Characteristics of the 1880-1929 period.- Consolidation of the oligarchic project.- Political evolution.
6. Imperialism and interventionism of the U.S.A. Determining factors of the expansion.- Political, military and economic interventionism.- The Caribbean and Central America in the orbit of the U.S.A.
7. The Mexican revolution. Ideological analysis.- The Constitution of 1917.- The institutionalized revolution.
8. The crisis of 1929 in Latin-America. Origins of the phenomena..- Crisis and new economic organization.- The authoritarian and pro-fascist regimes.
9. Latin-America from 1945 onwards. The political question. The political forces and the political parties.- The populisms and the military dictatorships.- The revolutionary systems.
10. The structure of contemporary society. The demographic growth.- The elite, the middle classes and the popular sectors. The indigenous population.
11. The contemporary economic structure (I)- Large estates and the agrarian reform. Industrialization and foreign investment.- The foreign debt.

Activities
The student must pay attention to the teacher’s explanations in class, as well as participating in debaters which may arise. As an optional activity a short piece of work or essay on any of the subjects on this syllabus may be carried out.

Assessment
A final exam will be compulsory. Also a mid-term exam will be set. The criteria for evaluation will be:
Attendance and class participation, up to 20%.
Optional piece of work, up to 10%.
Final exam, up to 70%.

Bibliography
LUCENA SALMORAL, M., Historia de Iberoamerérica, III (Edad Contemporánea), Madrid, Cátedra, 1991.
CÉSPEDES DEL CASTILLO, Guillermo, La independencia de Iberoamérica, Biblioteca Iberoamericana, 10, Madrid, Anaya, 1989.
HALPERIN DONGHI, Tulio, Historia contemporánea de América Latina, Madrid, Alianza Editorial, 1992.
BEYHAUT, Gustavo and Helene, América Latina III. De la independencia a la segunda guerra mundial, Historia Universal Siglo XXI, volume 23, Madrid, 1986.

Full Description

1. Introduction

This subject is an approach to the historical development of the Latin American countries from its independence to the present time. Through well characterized periods, the most important aspects of their nationality will be studied: the formation of the State, the political evolution, the social classes, the economic areas, without forgetting burning questions like demographic "boom", the external debt, or the native problem. The objective is the best understanding of the causes and conditioners of the contemporary reality of Latin America.

2. Program

1. Periodization of the contemporary history of Latin America. Problems and criteria of periodization. - The great periods of contemporary history. - General characteristics.
2. Independence. Interpretations about this period. - Internal and external causes. - Phases of the independentista movement.
3. Caudillismo and militarismo. Origins and meaning. - The personalistas regimes. - Towards the formation of the State.
4. Reforming policy and liberalism in Latin America. The liberal constitutions. - Political stability and economic growth. - Immigration and colonization of empty areas.
5. Positivism, oligarchy and dictatorship. Characteristics of period 1880-1929. - Consolidation of the oligarchical project. - Political evolution.
6. Imperialism and interventionism of the U.S.A.. Determining factors of the expansion. - Political, military and economic interventionism. - The Caribbean and Central America under the orbit of the U.S.A..
7. The Mexican revolution. Ideological expositions. - The Constitution of 1917. - The institutionalized revolution.
8. The crisis of 1929 in Latin America. Origins of the phenomenon. - Crisis and new economic organization. - The authoritarian and profacist regimes.
9. Latin America as of 1945. The political question. The political forces and the parties. - The military populisms and dictatorships. - The revolutionary routes.
10. The structure of contemporary society. - The population increase. - Popular elite, middle-class and sectors. - Indigenism.
11. The contemporary economic structure (I). - Large estate and agrarian reform. - Industrialization and foreign investment. - The external debt.

3. Activities

The student will have to follow the explanations of the professor in the classes, as well as to participate in the debates that are provoked by them. Optionally he will be able to make a small work or test on any one of the matters covered by the program.

4. Evaluation

The accomplishment of a final examination is indispensable. Also there will be an orientative partial examination at the mid-poing of the four month period. The evaluation criteria will be:

• Attendance and participation in class, worth 20%.
• Accomplishment of the optative work, worth 10%.
• Accomplishment of the final examination, worth 70%.

5. Bibliography

LUCENA SALMORAL, M., Historia de Iberoamérica, III (Edad Contemporánea), Madrid, Cátedra, 1991.

CÉSPEDES DEL CASTILLO, Guillermo, La independencia de Iberamérica, Biblioteca Iberoamericana, 10, Madrid, Anaya, 1989.

HALPERIN DONGHI, Tulio, Historia contemporánea de América Latina, Madrid, Alianza Editorial, 1992.

BEYHAUT, Gustavo y Helene, América Latina III. De la independencia a la segunda guerra mundial, Historia Universal Siglo XXI, vol. 23, Madrid, 1986.

Original Language Description

1. Introduction

Esta asignatura es un acercamiento al desarrollo histórico de los países latinoamericanos desde su independencia hasta nuestros días. A través de períodos bien caracterizados, se estudian los aspectos más relevantes de su nacionalidad: la formación del Estado, la evolución política, las clases sociales, las áreas económicas, sin olvidar cuestiones candentes como el boom demográfico, la deuda externa, o la problemática indígena. El objetivo es la comprensión mejor de las causas y condicionantes de la realidad contemporánea de América Latina.

2. Programa

1. Periodización de la historia contemporánea de América Latina. Problemas y criterios de periodización. - Los grandes períodos de la Historia Contemporánea. - Rasgos generales.
2. La independencia. Interpretaciones acerca de este período. - Causas internas y externas. - Fases del Movimiento independentista.
3. Caudillismo y militarismo. Orígenes y significación. - Los regímenes personalistas. - Hacia la formación del Estado.
4. Reformismo y liberalismo en América Latina. Las constituciones liberales. - Estabilidad política y crecimiento económico. - Immigración y colonización de áreas vacías.
5. Positivismo, oligarquía y dictadura. Características del período 1880-1929. - Consolidación del proyecto oligárquico. - Evolución política.
6. Imperialismo e intervencionismo de EE.UU. Factores determinantes de la expansión. - Intervencionismo político, militar y económico. - El Caribe y Centroamérica bajo la órbita de EE.UU.
7. La revolución mexicana. Planteamientos ideológicos. - La Constitución de 1917. - La revolución institucionalizada.
8. La crisis de 1929 en América Latina. Orígenes del fenómeno. - Crisis y nueva organización económica. - Los regímenes autoritarios y profascistas.
9. América Latina a partir de 1945. La cuestión política. Las fuerzas políticas y los partidos. - Los populismos y las dictaduras militares. - Las vías revolucionarias.
10. La estructura de la sociedad contemporánea. - El crecimiento demográfico. - Élite, clases medias y sectores populares. - El indigenismo.
11. La estructura económica contemporánea (I). - Latifundio y reforma agraria. - Industrialización e inversión extranjera. - La deuda externa.

3. Actividades

El alumno deberá seguir las explicaciones del profesor en las clases, así como participar en los debates que se susciten en ellas. Opcionalmente podrá realizar un pequeño trabajo o ensayo sobre cualquiera de las materias objeto del program.

4. Evaluación

Es indispensable la realización de un examen final. También se hará un examen parcial orientativo a la mitad del cuatrimestre. Los criterios de evaluación serán:

• Asistencia y participación en clase, hasta el 20%.
• Realización del trabajo optativo, hasta el 10%.
• Realización del examen final, hasta el 70%.

5. Bibliografía

LUCENA SALMORAL, M., Historia de Iberoamérica, III (Edad Contemporánea), Madrid, Cátedra, 1991.

CÉSPEDES DEL CASTILLO, Guillermo, La independencia de Iberamérica, Biblioteca Iberoamericana, 10, Madrid, Anaya, 1989.

HALPERIN DONGHI, Tulio, Historia contemporánea de América Latina, Madrid, Alianza Editorial, 1992.

BEYHAUT, Gustavo y Helene, América Latina III. De la independencia a la segunda guerra mundial, Historia Universal Siglo XXI, vol. 23, Madrid, 1986.

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