Luis Álvarez-López – författare

In this book, Álvarez-López details the history of revolution in the Dominican Republic, which was an infant independent nation struggling to preserve its political independence from Haiti and from the expansionist policies of northern European countries and the United States. In 1861, the Dominican Republic was annexed to Spain. The Spanish empire expansionist policy sought to preserve Cuba and Puerto Rico, and the acquisition of the Dominican Republic strengthened Spain's hold on the Antilles Empire. Spain's policies strengthened the political objectives of the Dominican ruling class, which were political stability and control of the political power under a Caucasian empire. While both these objectives were achieved, the new colonial experiment was a total failure. The exclusion of the native ruling class, over taxation, economic exploitation, coercive imposition of the Catholic Church customs, prejudice against blacks and mulattos led to war, ending with the defeat of the Spanish Empire. This defeat opened a revolutionary cycle in the Spanish Caribbean.

Through an engaging and illuminating collection of readings, Pioneers and Newcomers: A Latino History in the United States provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the historical presence, community formation, transnational networks, cultural manifestations, and contemporary issues regarding Latinos in the U.S.The anthology features seven distinct parts. Part I contains readings that historicize and theorize about Hispanic American legacy, the Latino American diaspora, and issues of economic inequality. In Part II, students read about Latinos looking for work and building community in the country. Part III focuses on diverse immigrant populations, including Cubans, Dominicans, Salvadorians, Peruvians, and Puerto Ricans and the formation of their distinct communities. Part IV speaks to the assertion of rights by Latinos and their quest for inclusion. In Parts V and VI, students learn about the opportunities and challenges of migration and transnationalism, as well as the unique politics of race and identity for Latinos in America. The final part examines culture and identity in the Latino community.The second edition features new readings on the topics of Latino anti-Black bias, census categorization, and Latino/a immigrants in the War on Terror.Featuring a transdisciplinary approach, Pioneers and Newcomers is an ideal resource for courses in ethnic studies, Latino studies, and American history.