A History of the Mexican-American People

When A History of The Mexican-American People was first published in 1977 it was greeted with enthusiasm for its straightforward, objective account of the Mexican-American role in U.S, history. Since that time the text has been used with great success in high school and university courses such as United States History, Chicano History, and the history of the American southwest. This new, revised edition of the book brings up to date the history of these invisible people and their continuing struggle for social justice.

The opening section covers the years of exploration and northward Spanish expansion into what is the present-day United States. The book then scans the North American continent in the 1 19th century, highlighting Mexico's achievement of independence from Spain and consequent loss of its northernmost territories to the United States. Samora examines the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the Mexican-American War, U.S. violations of the treaty, and contemporary repercussions. The third part of the book evaluates the impact of the Mexican Revolution on both sides of the border and the effect of mass migrations from Mexico.

Samora then tackles the complex and decisive events from The mid-i 9505 through the present such as the problems of transition from rural to urban life, the question of discrimination, and the search for civil rights. This new edition contains a revised chapter on Chicano contributions to art, literature, music, and theater, and a completely new chapter on the religious life of Mexican-Americans. An extensive bibliography of Chicano literature covering the past 50 years is also included.

Julian Samora is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame. Los Mojados: The Wetback story (Notre Dame Press, 1971) is one of many books he has published.

 

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