Colombia: A Concise Contemporary History

by Michael J. LaRosa Rhodes College, Germán R. Mejía

Overview

Michael J. LaRosa and Germán R. Mejía offer a comprehensive approach to Colombian history in the post-independence era, from about 1810 to the present. This third edition includes vital updates that dive into the historic 2022 presidential election and signing of the Peace Accords with FARC in 2016.

This deeply informed and accessible book thematically traces the history of Colombia, moving beyond the common perception of a failed state to explore the rich heritage and dynamism that have characterized Colombia past and present. The book focuses on the factors that have contributed to Colombia’s unification and development and looks at political projects, economic activity, and cultural development that have pushed Colombia forward. Also included are a photo essay, detailed chronology for further study and research, and a chapter dealing with Colombians abroad.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538177112
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/08/2023
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	360
Sales rank:	311,954
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 9.07(h) x 0.72(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael J. LaRosa is associate professor of history at Rhodes College. Germán R. Mejía is professor of history and dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá.

Table of Contents

Contents Acknowledgments Foreword by Pamela S. Murray Introduction 1 Origins Precedents The Crisis of Empire 1810: The Development of the Juntas The First Republic (1811–1816) The Final Battle against Absolutism Colombia: The Second Republic (1819–1830) The End of an Era of Change 2 The Colombian Nations Colombian Indigenous Population The Afro-Colombian Population Other Colombians Demography and Its Numbers Colonizers and Settlers: The Nineteenth Century An Urban Country: The Twentieth Century 3 The Dynamics of a Political Community Citizenship Rights The Democratic Model and Politics Government The Formation of Law 4 The Cadence of Unity The Parties and the Nation Communion in Beliefs A Common Memory A Single Institutionalism 5 Conflict The Spanish Evacuation Political Conflict in the Nineteenth Century Panama Separates Conflict in the Twentieth Century La Violencia Insurgency Intervention Narco-violence Plan Colombia, 2000 6 Colombians Search for Peace The Nature of the Colombian Armed Conflict The Stages of the War The Peace Processes in Historic Perspective The Future 7 Economic Unity Colonial Colombia Compared Monopoly and Political Problems in the Eighteenth Century Coffee The Percolating Twenties Oil and Industrialization The National Front Modern Times Photo Essay 8 A Common Space From Horse Path to Highway Steamships and Railways Aerial Cables and Airplanes Mail and Communications Systems Print Media 9 Cultural Dynamism Sculpture and Painting Literature Theater Architecture Music 10 Daily Life Popular Religious Celebrations Sports Beauty Pageants Retaking the Colombian Urban Centers Radio, TV, and Soap Operas Gastronomy, Colombian Style University Life in Colombia 11 Colombia and the World The Early Days The Canal Project 1928 World War II and Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Korea and the Alliance for Progress Pope Paul VI and the Close of the 1960s Contadora, Central America, and Colombia’s Neighbors Uribe and Bush: Brothers in Arms Enter Santos 12 Colombians Abroad Preliminary Observations on Colombian Emigration Why Colombians Leave: A Historic Overview Bienvenidos to Queens The 1980 Refugee Act The Special Case of Colombians in Venezuela Remesas—Sending Money Home Colombians Abroad: Some Names Some Sustained (and Unfortunate) Stereotypes Peace Process and the Great Reverse Migration? 13. 2016 and Beyond: ¡Basta Ya! The Elusive Peace The Pandemic Economic Data Migratory Processes Trouble on the Streets of Colombia Tourism: The Contemporary Trend Conclusion Colombian Chronology, 1810–2022 Selected Bibliography Index About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

This insightful book grounds the reader in the social and economic roots of Colombia’s long history of violence, but more importantly, it offers a banquet of insights into Colombian identity and nationhood—ranging from its early use of aerial ski lifts for coffee distribution to the country’s literature, art, and theatre. It’s all here and it’s a fascinating read.

June Carolyn Erlick

This book offers a refreshing perspective on Colombian history, underscoring the factors that have fostered viability for the Colombian state and unity within its society, in spite of the violence, inequalities, geographic obstacles, and crises that have continually threatened to pull the country apart. The concise second edition of this synthetic and engaging narrative explores a complex yet resilient contemporary Colombian society and examines possible paths toward a peaceful future.

Lina Del Castillo

During the last decade, Colombia underwent a tectonic transformation, securing a peace deal with Latin America's longest-running insurgent group, electing its first-ever leftist president, and even starring as the backdrop for a record-breaking animated Disney film. The rest of the world is quickly discovering Colombia, and LaRosa and Mejia's third edition of Colombia: A Concise Contemporary History is a peerless companion for scholars, practitioners, and curious minds seeking a greater understanding of the South American nation in all its spellbinding complexity.

Paul J. Angelo

A unique and refreshing assessment of the contemporary history of Colombia. Highlighting the lesser-known aspects of Colombia's history, LaRosa and Mejía have succeeded in producing a well-balanced narrative. Unlike most treatments of modern Colombia, which linger on its tragedies and failures, the authors focus on the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of its people and the myriad ways in which they have contributed to building their country. LaRosa and Mejía's reinterpretation of the contemporary history of Colombia is an important contribution to our understanding of a little-known and understood country.

LaRosa and Mejía iconoclastically focus on the factors that produced cohesion in Colombia between 1800 and 2011, rather than on the violence that has torn the country apart. Their topical chapters highlight the existence of long-lasting constitutions, two national political parties, a diverse but predominantly mestizo and urban population, recent improvements in transportation, a common language and religion, a healthy economy, and an appreciation for culture that has produced internationally prominent artists. They correctly note that Colombia was not uniquely violent in 19th-century Latin America. . . . Although keeping the focus on the resiliency of the people who have suffered through decades of tragedy, the authors do discuss enduring social problems like the highly unequal distribution of income. Their approach provides a good corrective to much current scholarship on Colombia. . . . Recommended.

Perhaps due to the cooperation of its government with the U.S.' war on drugs, Colombia is probably America's closest ally in South America. This concise and easily digestible survey is a useful and timely introduction to a country little understood by most people north of the Rio Grande. LaRosa is professor of history at Rhodes College, and Mejía is professor of history at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá. They combine thematic and chronological approaches to offer a broad-based portrait of Colombia in an admirable effort to counteract many of the oversimplified impressions outsiders may have concerning the country. They don't avoid the seamier aspects of historical and contemporary Colombia, including political violence and the curse of the traffic in narcotics. But they also note the nation's considerable cultural achievements and its laudable efforts to build a stable democracy and play a positive role in hemispheric relations.

The book by Michael J. LaRosa and Germán R. Mejía is well written and covers effectively most of the important events of 'modern' Colombian history, defined by the authors as the years since 1800. . . . The authors aimed to have a new work of history that would be bold, energetic, and innovative, not focusing on the catastrophic vision of the country or theoretical constructs from the developed world. Rather, despite all the mayhem the country has experienced, they wanted to explore a central question: 'How is it that the nation stays together?'

This book is a concise, comprehensive, and refreshing account of Colombian history, society, and culture. While LaRosa and Mejía do not ignore the topics of conflict, violence, and fragmentation, they highlight the often-overlooked features that have served to unite Colombia as a nation, including Catholicism and education as well as sports, soap operas, music, and modern technology. In doing so, they capture the complexity, vibrancy, and richness of the Colombian people and their history.

This book offers a refreshing perspective on Colombian history, underscoring the factors that have fostered viability for the Colombian state and unity within its society, in spite of the violence, inequalities, geographic obstacles, and crises that have continually threatened to pull the country apart. The concise second edition of this synthetic and engaging narrative explores a complex yet resilient contemporary Colombian society and examines possible paths toward a peaceful future.

This imaginative, go-to analysis makes the intriguing and multi-faceted world of Colombia accessible to all readers. LaRosa and Mejía artfully break away from the classic approach to the writing of Colombian history and provide an insightful window into the country's political, social, and cultural past. Their thematic approach enhances a story born of a common love for sport and the arts, for drama and for political ideals. LaRosa and Mejía make ever present the rich heritage of this country and of a people who have fought passionately for liberty over the past two centuries.

This insightful book grounds the reader in the social and economic roots of Colombia's long history of violence, but more importantly, it offers a banquet of insights into Colombian identity and nationhood--ranging from its early use of aerial ski lifts for coffee distribution to the country's literature, art, and theatre. It's all here and it's a fascinating read.

This sensitive and engagingly written historical introduction to Colombia moves beyond the nation's conflicts and failures to uncover what also holds its people together. Readers will be especially drawn to the rich portrayal of Colombia's deep cultural traditions, expressed in art and literature and in people's daily lives.

This synthesis of Colombia's modern history is an extraordinary example of scholarly innovation. LaRosa and Mejía's presentation of this national history in thematic chapters immerses the reader in a thought-provoking and original consideration of deeper historical patterns. The result is a pleasure to read.

Without engaging in whitewashing or leaving behind academic rigor and meticulous historical detail, the authors . . . have maintained an engaging balance between the more tragic aspects of Colombian history and its successes. . . . Their narrative is present-focused and organized thematically, rather than following a standard chronology. It explores in small, easily digestible sections subjects like demography, political culture, infrastructure development and, of course, conflict. . . . The book, written in English as a collaboration between two historians from the United States and Colombia, is intended for a foreign audience of non-experts. However, it manages to engage, and even surprise, readers that might be more familiar with Colombia. Those that have spent significant time in the country will recognize in the book's pages the quirky details of Colombian life that tell as much about the country as the goriest details of its civil war. . . . I applaud Mejía and LaRosa for abandoning the seductive lure of gore in Colombian history and making an honest and serious effort to tell a more complete and complex story.

From the Publisher

This sensitive and engagingly written historical introduction to Colombia moves beyond the nation’s conflicts and failures to uncover what also holds its people together. Readers will be especially drawn to the rich portrayal of Colombia’s deep cultural traditions, expressed in art and literature and in people’s daily lives.

Herbert Tico Braun

This imaginative, go-to analysis makes the intriguing and multi-faceted world of Colombia accessible to all readers. LaRosa and Mejía artfully break away from the classic approach to the writing of Colombian history and provide an insightful window into the country’s political, social, and cultural past. Their thematic approach enhances a story born of a common love for sport and the arts, for drama and for political ideals. LaRosa and Mejía make ever present the rich heritage of this country and of a people who have fought passionately for liberty over the past two centuries.

Douglass Sullivan-González

This synthesis of Colombia’s modern history is an extraordinary example of scholarly innovation. LaRosa and Mejía’s presentation of this national history in thematic chapters immerses the reader in a thought-provoking and original consideration of deeper historical patterns. The result is a pleasure to read.

Joshua Rosenthal

A unique and refreshing assessment of the contemporary history of Colombia. Highlighting the lesser-known aspects of Colombia’s history, LaRosa and Mejía have succeeded in producing a well-balanced narrative. Unlike most treatments of modern Colombia, which linger on its tragedies and failures, the authors focus on the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of its people and the myriad ways in which they have contributed to building their country. LaRosa and Mejía’s reinterpretation of the contemporary history of Colombia is an important contribution to our understanding of a little-known and understood country.

Guiomar Dueñas-Vargas

The book by Michael J. LaRosa and Germán R. Mejía is well written and covers effectively most of the important events of 'modern' Colombian history, defined by the authors as the years since 1800.. .. The authors aimed to have a new work of history that would be bold, energetic, and innovative, not focusing on the catastrophic vision of the country or theoretical constructs from the developed world. Rather, despite all the mayhem the country has experienced, they wanted to explore a central question: 'How is it that the nation stays together?'

The Americas: A Quarterly Review of Latin American History

This book is a concise, comprehensive, and refreshing account of Colombian history, society, and culture. While LaRosa and Mejía do not ignore the topics of conflict, violence, and fragmentation, they highlight the often-overlooked features that have served to unite Colombia as a nation, including Catholicism and education as well as sports, soap operas, music, and modern technology. In doing so, they capture the complexity, vibrancy, and richness of the Colombian people and their history.

Hayley Froysland

Perhaps due to the cooperation of its government with the U.S.’ war on drugs, Colombia is probably America’s closest ally in South America. This concise and easily digestible survey is a useful and timely introduction to a country little understood by most people north of the Rio Grande. LaRosa is professor of history at Rhodes College, and Mejía is professor of history at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá. They combine thematic and chronological approaches to offer a broad-based portrait of Colombia in an admirable effort to counteract many of the oversimplified impressions outsiders may have concerning the country. They don’t avoid the seamier aspects of historical and contemporary Colombia, including political violence and the curse of the traffic in narcotics. But they also note the nation’s considerable cultural achievements and its laudable efforts to build a stable democracy and play a positive role in hemispheric relations.

Booklist

LaRosa and Mejía iconoclastically focus on the factors that produced cohesion in Colombia between 1800 and 2011, rather than on the violence that has torn the country apart. Their topical chapters highlight the existence of long-lasting constitutions, two national political parties, a diverse but predominantly mestizo and urban population, recent improvements in transportation, a common language and religion, a healthy economy, and an appreciation for culture that has produced internationally prominent artists. They correctly note that Colombia was not uniquely violent in 19th-century Latin America.. .. Although keeping the focus on the resiliency of the people who have suffered through decades of tragedy, the authors do discuss enduring social problems like the highly unequal distribution of income. Their approach provides a good corrective to much current scholarship on Colombia.. .. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Without engaging in whitewashing or leaving behind academic rigor and meticulous historical detail, the authors. .. have maintained an engaging balance between the more tragic aspects of Colombian history and its successes.. .. Their narrative is present-focused and organized thematically, rather than following a standard chronology. It explores in small, easily digestible sections subjects like demography, political culture, infrastructure development and, of course, conflict.. .. The book, written in English as a collaboration between two historians from the United States and Colombia, is intended for a foreign audience of non-experts. However, it manages to engage, and even surprise, readers that might be more familiar with Colombia. Those that have spent significant time in the country will recognize in the book’s pages the quirky details of Colombian life that tell as much about the country as the goriest details of its civil war.. .. I applaud Mejía and LaRosa for abandoning the seductive lure of gore in Colombian history and making an honest and serious effort to tell a more complete and complex story.

ReVista: Harvard Review of Latin America