The Idea of Race in Latin America, 1870-1940 (Critical Reflections on Latin America Series)

From the mid-nineteenth century until the 1930s, many Latin American leaders faced a difficult dilemma regarding the idea of race. On the one hand, they aspired to an ever-closer connection to Europe and North America, where, during much of this period, 'scientific' thought condemned nonwhite races to an inferior category. yet, with the heterogeneous racial makeup of their societies clearly before them and a growing sense of national identity impelling consideration of national futures, Latin American leaders hesitated.