in regarding Hispanics as members of a
race, the very nature of being Hispanic,
with its tangled mix of ethnic stocks and
influences, undermines the notion of
race as a clear and distinct category.
Despite their diverse origins,
Hispanic Americans are aware of their
common heritage and identity. That
identity is fraught with controversy, even
concerning the name “Hispanic.” Some
people in this community prefer to call
themselves “Latinos,” rejecting the
English coinage “Hispanic” for its
emphasis on Spain (Hispania is Latin for
Spain). “Latino,” by contrast, is an
authentic Spanish word that does not
directly mention Spain, though it does
credit ancient Rome’s Latin language,
from which the Spanish language
derives. Most people regard both
“Latino” and “Hispanic” as acceptable
terms, and this book uses them inter-
changeably.
Because the blending of cultures is
one of the central characteristics of
Hispanic America, readers will find that
the pages of Atlas of Hispanic-American
History recount the stories of how and
when that blending took place, as well as
the tensions spurred along the way. And
because by its very nature the blending
of Hispanic cultures involves the cross-
ing of borders—both geographical and
cultural—an atlas is an ideal form
through which to tell the tale. Through
the use of maps, charts, and other
illustrations, the story of Hispanic
America proceeds in these pages from
detailing the Spanish, African, and
Native American roots of today’s
Hispanic-American cultures. Topics
include the Spanish conquest and colo-
nization of Mexico, South and Central
America, and much of the Caribbean;
the Spanish exploration and settlement
of the Gulf Coast and Southwest of the
present-day United States; the conflicts
between Mexico and the United States
over that territory—as illustrated by the
fight for the independence of Texas and
the U.S.-Mexican War; the emergence of
Cuban and Puerto Rican communities in
the United States following U.S. victory
in the Spanish-American War; and the
arrival of new Hispanic immigrants from
other regions of Latin America, such as
Colombia, Peru, and Central America.
The book will discuss the ways in which
Hispanic immigrants have adapted to
life in the United States—the discrimi-
nation they have faced, the obstacles they
have overcome, and the contributions
they have made. The impact of Hispanic
culture on American history as well as on
American society in the early 21st centu-
ry has been and continues to be dramat-
ic. In fact, Hispanic culture and
American culture are more inextricably
intertwined than ever. This book cele-
brates that vibrant story.
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