A History of Modern Brazil: The Past Against the Future

Front Cover
Rowman & Littlefield, 2003 - 262 pages
Over time, Brazil has evolved into a well-defined nation with a strong sense of identity. From the natural beauty of the Amazon River to the exciting resort city of Rio de Janeiro, from soccer champion Pele to classical musician Villa Lobos, Brazil is known as a distinctive, diverse country. It is recognized worldwide for its World Cup soccer team, samba music, dancing, and celebrations of Carnival. This book provides a well-rounded, brief history of Brazil that uniquely focuses on both the politics and culture of the republic. Colin MacLachlan uses a political narrative to frame the evolution of national culture and the formation of national identity. He evaluates Brazilian myths, stereotypes, and icons such as soccer and dancing as part of the historical analysis. Brazil's history is presented from its colonial roots to the present, showing how the country developed its economic and social base, then struggled to modernize and secure a respected world role. Key issues are examined: immigration, slavery and race, territorial expansion, the military, and technology and industrialization. The integration of cultural material enriches the text. It provides handy points for classroom discussion and will help students remember particular aspects Brazil's history. The book includes fascinating side-bars on various aspects of Brazilian culture, including Copacabana Beach and the rain forests. A History of Modern Brazil will inform and entertain students in courses on Brazil and modern Latin America.

From inside the book

Contents

V
1
VI
17
VII
39
VIII
59
IX
75
X
92
XI
107
XII
139
XIII
163
XIV
193
XV
199
XVI
215
XVII
227
XVIII
243
XIX
249
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2003)

Colin M. MacLachlan is the John Christy Barr Distinguished Professor of History at Tulane University and former chair of the history department. He is the author of numerous books and articles on a wide range of Latin American topics.

Bibliographic information