A Concise History of Mexico

Presents a broad thematic perspective and chronological sweep of Mexico, from the pre-Columbian era to the present day.

Brian R. Hamnett (Author)

9781316626610, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 January 2019

570 pages, 51 b/w illus. 6 maps
21.5 x 13.7 x 3.2 cm, 0.7 kg

'A balanced political and social history and a much-needed reliable and thought-provoking synthesis, this is conciseness only attainable through Hamnett's erudition in history at large. This new edition also addresses Mexico's post-2000 political and social challenges and incorporates Hamnett's remarkable fascination and knowledge of literary and cultural issues.' Mauricio Tenorio-Trillo, University of Chicago

This concise history looks at Mexico from political, economic, and cultural perspectives, portraying Mexico's struggle to break out of the colonial past and assert its viability as a sovereign state in a competitive world. In this third edition, Hamnett adds new material on Mexico's regional and international roles as they have emerged in the twenty-first century, including membership of supra-national organizations (including and moving beyond NAFTA), the Mexican drug war between government officials and gangs, and the immigration and border crises within the United States. He also discusses Mexico's relationship to the outside world, particularly its efforts to broaden the range of political and commercial associations, especially with European countries, the rest of Latin America, and the Pacific Rim through trade agreements with supra-national organizations.

1. Mexico in perspective
2. The pre-Columbian era
3. The European incursion, 1519–1620
4. New Spain, 1620–1770: Spanish colonialism and American society
5. Destabilization and fragmentation, 1770–1867
6. Reconstruction, 1867–1940
7. The monopoly party, 1940–2000
8. Cultural developments since independence
9. The changing face of the Republic
10. Mexico in the world: international relations, 2000–2016
Final remarks
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK]