Indigenismo—the movement to redeem the long-oppressed Indians and their culture—has been a central aspect of 20th-century nationalism in many Latin American countries. This book, a general treatment of the subject by two Spanish historians, could be one of great value and interest. Unfortunately, it falls short of the mark. The authors concentrate their attention, first of all, on a general description of the status of Indian groups in each of the American republics (including the United States and Canada), and secondly, on indigenismo itself, particularly the official Instituto Indigenista Interamericano and its activities over the last two decades. While recognizing the complex nature of the “Indian problem” and the necessity of relating it to the general problems of land, education, economic development, and the Church, the authors make little effort to penetrate this complexity. Key questions such as the implications of indigenista nationalism and how native peoples can best be integrated into modern culture are raised but not pursued. This lack of analysis results chiefly from the limited sources used. Three-quarters of the items cited in the bibliography and in the footnotes are articles from América Indígena and the Boletín Indigenista, journals of the Instituto Indigenista Interamericano. Though there are chapters on the history and the ideology of indigenismo, these subjects are treated sketchily. Concern for the Indian throughout Latin American history is only casually referred to, and the thought of such figures as Las Casas, Quiroga, Mier, González Prada, Mariátegui, and Gamio either is not mentioned or is passed over quickly. Curiously enough, in the country-bycountry discussion of Indian problems and legislation regarding them, the choice of emphasis often seems illogical. Mexico and Guatemala receive far less attention, for example, than do the United States and Colombia. Moreover, the authors choose to make 1950 the terminal point for their survey, which excludes discussion of the important indigenismo of the Bolivian Revolution.
The book is a handy reference for statistics and for classifications of Indian groups in the Americas. It also includes useful information on the work of official Inter-American indigenismo. Furthermore, the last two hundred pages (appendices) provide resolutions and other documents emanating from the various Inter-American conferences which began in Pátzcuaro in 1940. However, as an analysis and interpretation of American indigenismo, the book must be rated a disappointment.
