Occupied America: A History of Chicanos, 9th edition

For courses in history of Mexican Americans.

An authoritative introduction to Mexican American history

Occupied America: A History of Chicanos is among the most comprehensive introductory Chicano history texts available today. Author Rodolfo Acuña is one of the most highly regarded voices in Chicano history and ethnic studies. Engagingly written and extensively researched, the text covers Chicano history in its entirety. Timelines provide clear contexts for the most important events, illuminating today's struggles in the process.

The 9th Edition has been extensively updated, largely in light of the 2016 Presidential election and the “Age of Trump” and for better precision of language.

Hallmark features of this title

Accessible and engaging for students

• The chronological organization clearly explains the evolution of Mexican Americans over time.
• Two primary themes established in the text, the status of the American Empire and the inclusion of Indigenous People, provide a clear framework.

Covers inclusive topics

• The author explores issues of gender throughout the text, with greater emphasis on notable women than in other texts.
• The text discuses Central and Latin American immigration alongside Mexican immigration to provide a fuller picture of immigration to the US.
• The author clearly distinguishes between political and economic refugees, providing a better understanding of each.

New and updated features of this title

• UPDATED: Content throughout the text has been updated to better reflect the themes as they relate to post-Trump America.
• Destruction of Civilizations-related content emphasizes the Indigenous history that has been erased and the myth that an advanced people took over a primitive people for religious salvation.
• Discussion on the period between 1848 and 1900 is also included, specifically the colonization of Texas, New Mexico and California.
• Colonization of the Colonizers explores how globalization, racism and Catholicism influenced Spain's imperial ambitions.
• The author places a greater focus on the beginning and growth of American imperialism and the intertwined legacy of hate, particularly focusing on the invasion of Mexico.
• Discussions of the Mexican Revolution and generational changes shed light on the differences between discrimination and racism, and how the former drives the latter. Discussions of World War I and its aftermath, the Great Depression, World War II and a decade of reaction are all included in detail.