This course examines the origins, course, and consequences of social revolutions in 20th century Latin America. We begin with the Mexican Revolution (1910-40) to better understand the key role peasants play in promoting revolutionary change. Next, we consider the role of indigenous peoples and mineworkers in the Bolivian Revolution (1952-64). We then turn to the Cuban Revolution of 1959, focusing on the origins and impact of its communist project. We end with the Chilean Revolution (1970-73), Nicaragua’s Sandinista Revolution (1979-90), and Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution (1999-) in order to consider the complicated relationship between revolution and democracy.
