This lecture will be live streamed.

Our speaker explores the common experiences that unite contemporary Central America, as well as what distinguishes its component parts and how they got that way. What historical and natural forces shaped the region? Where did today’s political divisions come from? Why have many Central Americans left their homes for the United States? This talk addresses these questions and others from a bird’s-eye view of the incredibly diverse geography and cultures of the American Isthmus.

Dr. Antony W. Andersson teaches world history at DePauw University. His research, which examines political conflict and environmental change in Guatemala, and has been generously supported by the American Council of Learned Societies, the Social Science Research Council, the Mellon Foundation, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University. He received his doctorate in Latin American history from New York University.

This is the first of a six-lecture series. The subject of the series is Central America: Coffee to Caravans. The next lecture will occur April 22, 2021. The title is: Costa Rica: An Example for Sustainable Development in the Region. Learn from well-known experts about an array of interesting subjects, with an interactive Q&A period following each lecture.

Preregistration is required via the OLLI website or phone. A link to access the lecture will be e-mailed to you approximately one week prior to the first session.