Early in this century; a few Mexican migrants began streaming northward into the Midwest; but by 1914--in response to the war in Europe and a booming U.S. economy--the stream had become a flood. Barely a generation later; this so-called Immigrant Generation of Mexicans was displaced and returned to the U.S. Southwest or to Mexico. Drawing on both published works and archival materials; this new study considers the many factors that affected the process of immigration as well as the development of communities in the region. These include the internal forces of religion; ethnic identity; and a sense of nationalism; as well as external influences such as economic factors; discrimination; and the vagaries of U.S.-Mexico relations. Here is a book that persuasively challenges many prevailing assumptions about Mexican people and the communities they established in the Midwest. The author notes the commonalities and differences between Mexicans in that region and their compadres who settled elsewhere. He further demonstrates that although Mexicans in the Midwest maintained a strong sense of cultural identity; they were quick to adopt the consumer culture and other elements of U.S. life that met their needs. Focusing on a people; place; and time rarely covered before now; this wide-ranging work will be welcomed by scholars and students of history; sociology; and Chicano studies. General readers interested in ethnic issues and the multicultural fabric of American society will find here a window to the past as well as new perspectives for understanding the present and the future.
#3432452 in Books Syracuse University Press 2003-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.26 x .59 x 5.48l; .77 #File Name: 0815630298312 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Impressively explores all facets of a complex issueBy Midwest Book ReviewAbly compiled and deftly edited by Donald J. Dietrich (Professor of Theology; Boston College); Christian Responses To The Holocaust: Moral And Ethical Issues assembles under one cover a variety of highly recommended essays contributed by learned Jewish and Christian authors -- and which study the responses of Protestants; Catholics; theologians; clergy; pastors; and the Christian laity to Nazi anti-Semitic idealogy and genocidal acts of deliberate extermination of Jews. Exploring diverse responses that varied from endorsement and/or accommodation to disapproval and/or active resistance; Christian Responses To The Holocaust impressively explores all facets of a complex issue; and collectively does so in an impartial; reasonable; and scholarly manner.