Overview

"Marking the centennial of Panama's separation from Colombia in 1903, this volume reprises US images of the isthmus a century ago. The editors have collected a selection of articles from two of the most influential publications of the era, ""Harper's Monthly Magazine"" and the ""Atlantic Monthly"", to illustrate the prejudices and expansionistic rhetoric of the time. An eclectic mix of adventure-seekers, naturalists, scientists, scholars and travellers all helped a reading public in the United States ""discover"" Panama and the tropics. Their writings show the long evolution of the US debate on the question of Panama and how Americans came to believe control o the isthmus was vital to their economic and political wellbeing. Constituting critically important primary sources, the articles highlight the intersection of politics, history, technology and commercial interests in the region. By introducing and organising these long-forgotten essays in cohesive thematic sections, this book aims to help readers think more critically and carefully about US foreign policy and the ongoing legacy in US-Latin American relations."

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9780742527218

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Reviews

This remarkable compilation works because the editors allow the original authors to speak out to us from over a century ago, with all their flaws and misperceptions. It provides excellent background for the emergence of the U.S. as a major power in the twentieth century.--Michael Conniff

Author Information

Michael J. LaRosa is associate professor of history at Rhodes College. GermOn R. Mej'a is professor of history at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, BogotO.

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