TOPICS: LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY I: EARLY TIMES TO 1800 in Fall 2025 (HI1091A)

This course explores the history of Latin America from pre-colonial times to the dawn of the 19th century, critically examining the forces that shaped the region’s colonial past. We will interrogate the very concept of "Latin America" and analyze the diverse civilizations that

flourished before European colonization, including the Aztecs, Incas, Guaranis, Tupis, and Amazonian societies. The course will then examine the impact of European rule, focusing on the Columbian Exchange, African slavery, indigenous coerced labor, and the environmental consequences of colonial economies such as sugar production and mining. Key themes include race, resistance, and the dynamics of power in colonial societies. Students will explore pivotal events such as the Valladolid Debate, the Taki Onqoy movement, the Bourbon Reforms, and the rebellion of Túpac Amaru II. We will also study Palmares and other quilombos, the presence of Asian slaves in colonial Latin America, the struggles of Muslim slaves in the Americas, and women’s histories across the continent. The course will conclude with an analysis of the Haitian Revolution and the early independence movements.

Students will work extensively with primary sources, engaging in critical discussions on how to write history that foregrounds the agency of historically marginalized populations. Through these materials, we will challenge traditional narratives and explore alternative perspectives on colonial Latin America.