Violence in the United States and Latin America in the Nineteenth Century: A Comparative Approach

Abstract

This essay will compare the patterns of collective physical violence in the United States and in Latin America during the 19th century. Its main purpose is to identify the differences in the practice of collective violence despite similar developments on the two continents and to uncover the underlying reasons for these distinctions. The comparison is not based on definitive theoretical assumptions or hypotheses, and therefore it will neither be systematic nor present “certified” results. Rather we select specific issues while neglecting others.