This encyclopedia comprehensively surveys the evolution of Latina/o engagement in US politics as voters, candidates, lawmakers, and public officials. It is an authoritative resource for public library patrons, high school students, and undergraduates in a variety of curricular studies, including political science, civics, American history, and Latino studies.

The set’s A–Z entries were carefully selected and crafted to ensure thorough coverage of all of the individuals, organizations, cultural forces, political issues, and legal decisions that have combined to elevate the role of Latinos at the polls, on the campaign trail, in Washington, and in mayors’ offices, city councils, school boards, and statehouses all across the country. In-depth essays on the rising prominence of Latino Americans as voters, candidates, public officials, lawmakers, and opinion leaders will provide further context for understanding their impact on modern U.S. political processes and institutions from the perspective of liberals and conservatives alike.

Features

• Features two dozen primary documents, including illuminating sources provided both in the original Spanish and in English translations
• Contains approximately 300 encyclopedia entries
• Gives special attention to the significant diversity of the Latino population in the United States, with a focus on growing communities of Central American and Dominican origin as well as groups of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban origin
• Provides context in historical overview essays that focus specifically on Latino population in their roles as voters and citizens, candidates, and lawmakers in American life
• Includes a chronology of events concerning the evolution of Latino American involvement in U.S. politics