Argentina and the United States 1810-1960

Harold F. Peterson

Jun 1964 · State University of New York Press

About this ebook

Dr. Peterson's book is the first, in English or Spanish, to encompass the entire sweep of Argentine-American relations from the time of Argentina's revolt against Spain in 1810 to the close of its 150th year of independence. Through comprehensive analysis and narrative, this study illuminates one of the most enigmatic areas of Western Hemisphere relationships.

From what would seem to be a bewildering array of incidents, Professor Peterson isolates the basic undercurrents which mold Argentine policies. Internally, Argentina's path to stability is shown to be marred by developing social stratification and conflict, economic mismanagement, and the deep uncertainty of shifts from dictatorship to democracy. Internationally, the germs of discord with the United States are found in nationalism, anticolonialism, desire for hemispheric leadership, and economic competition. Discussed, too, are the fascinating, crucial weaknesses and errors of human leadership in both countries.

Argentina and the United States 1810–1960 makes an important contribution to an understanding of current, as well as historical, affairs: it greatly helps to explain why in the twentieth century the government and people of the United States frequently face an "Argentine problem."

Ratings and reviews

Based on an inaccurate research of history. For example, Argentina did not 'inherit' the Falklands any more that the Treaty of Utrecht gave British territory in the Americas to Spain. Deeply flawed.

About the author

Harold F. Peterson, Professor of History at the State University College at Buffalo, was born in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1900. After being graduated from Knox College, he went into teaching, on both college and high school levels, taking time out to gain his master's degree in 1927 from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. in 1933 from Duke University. During World War II, he served in the Military Intelligence Division and as Assistant Secretary, Joint Intelligence Committee, of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was awarded the War Department Staff Citation. Following the war, he rejoined the faculty of the State University College at Buffalo.

With Watt Stewart, Dr. Peterson wrote Builders of Latin America (1942), which was translated and published in Spanish and Portuguese. His articles and book reviews have been published in periodicals in the United States, Argentina, and England.