The history of Central America / Thomas Pearcy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pearcy, Thomas L., 1960-

Series:

Greenwood histories of the modern nations

The Greenwood histories of the modern nations

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Central America--History.

Central America.

History.

Physical Description:

xix, 167 pages : 1 map ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 2006.

Summary:

Central America is an extraordinarily beautiful part of the world with sweeping panoramic vistas of tropical vegetation, towering mountains, and striking ethnic and racial diversity. This tropical paradise has a history as diverse as its people and its cultures. Starting with the Maya in ancient Mesoamerica, the history of Central America continues with European contact and then subjugation of the people of Central America. Spaniards eastablished and ruled their Central American empire during the colonial period leading to the National period through independence movements and subsequent development of independent, sovereign Central American nations. By the mid-twentieth century the economies, governments, and populations of the seven republics had evolved so distinctly that each has its own unique set of challenges to deal with today. Pearcy examines the regional similarities that propelled or constrained each nation's development as well as each nation's individual development.

Contents:

1 Introduction to the Seven Nations of Central America 1

2 Early Central America 25

3 From United Provinces to Independent States: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua 41

4 Panama: From Colombian Province to Occupied State 61

5 The United States and Central America 79

6 The Cold War I: Communism and "Freedom Fighters" 103

7 The Cold War II: Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama 123

8 Central America in the Twenty-First Century 139

Notable People in the History of Central America 145

Central American History: A Bibliographic Essay 157.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [157]-163) and index.

ISBN:

0313322937

OCLC:

61513037