Subject Area History of Latin America and the Caribbean

The history and the societies of Latin America and the Caribbean are subject of research and teachings at the History Department for two decades though a separate professorship was established only in 2010.

Regional focal points are Mexico, the Caribbean (Cuba, Haiti, Martinique, Jamaica), Central America (Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica) and Basil. The research, which puts a special focus on the developments during the 19^th and 20^th century, is characterised by a historical point of view regarding politics, social matters and cultural concerns. The scope of teachings in this subject area reach from the 15^th century to contemporary history. In Hannover History of Latin America and the Caribbean act on the idea to place the continent within its global links and connections and to analyse the thereto relating processes and experiences since conquest and colonisation by the Europeans. Starting point of what we understand as “globalisation“ today was the discovery of the “new world” and its peoples by the Europeans.

Studying history of Latin America and the Caribbean at the Leibniz University offers an insight into the economic, political and cultural aftermath of colonisation and the related emergence of inequality which affect the relationship between the different ethnic and social populations of the continent. Special attention is given to the Atlantic connections which link Latin America to Europe and Africa. The impulses coming from the south and taking effect in Europe are a crucial focus of the studies. Both research and studies concern themselves with questions regarding migration flows, transnational connections and cultural transmissions as well as the transformation of identities, belonging and ethnicity. Simultaneously, local, regional and national transformation processes which shape societies in Latin America and the Caribbean since their independence in the 19^th century until this day are analysed.

This subject area is part of several (inter)national and interdisciplinary research associations as well as of the research and teaching alliance Centre for Atlantic and Global Studies. On an international level we are part of the BMBF funded Maria Sibylla Merian International Centre for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences - Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS). Furthermore, we are involved in the EU-funded European-Latin American joint research project ConnecCaribbean/Connected Worlds: The Caribbean, Origin of the Modern World ConnecCaribbean” (RISE / Horizon 2020).