The Latino Big Bang in California: The Diary of Justo Veytia, a Mexican Forty-Niner

The Latino Big Bang in California is a diary written by Justo Veytia, a Mexican immigrant during California's Gold Rush, that provides insights into the dilemmas and choices of Latinos during this tumultuous moment in California history. It demonstrates how the US-Mexico War and the Gold Rush constituted a Latino big bang in California that attracted fortune seekers from across the Spanish-speaking world, forever changing the course of California history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

The Latino Big Bang in California presents a captivating Spanish transcription and English translation of a diary penned by Forty-Niner Justo Veytia, a Mexican immigrant driven by the pursuit of wealth during California's Gold Rush. Veytia's diary offers a profound exploration into the dilemmas and choices of a young, adventurous, and ambitious Mexican individual, providing a detailed account of the lives of Latinos who actively participated in this turbulent period of California history. By doing so, Veytia's diary vividly showcases that the US-Mexico War, coupled with the Gold Rush, ignited a Latino big bang in California that drew vast numbers of fortune seekers from across the Spanish-speaking world throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century. Through a combination of archival research and quantitative methods, The Latino Big Bang in California sheds light on how Latino migration and labor have irrevocably shaped the course of California's history.

In his diary, Veytia vividly recounts his experiences and observations, providing a firsthand account of the challenges and opportunities faced by Latinos during the Gold Rush. He describes the arduous journey from Mexico to California, the discrimination and prejudice he encountered, and the struggles he faced to establish himself in a new land.

Veytia's diary also sheds light on the broader social and cultural dynamics of the time. He discusses the impact of the US-Mexico War on Mexican immigrants, the role of the Catholic Church in shaping Latino identity, and the struggles of Latinos to gain legal recognition and social equality.

Through his diary, Veytia offers a unique perspective on the Gold Rush and its impact on California and the broader American landscape. His story serves as a reminder of the complex and multifaceted nature of Latino history and the importance of understanding and appreciating the contributions of Latinos to American society.

The Latino Big Bang in California is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in learning more about the history of California, Mexican immigration, and the broader Latino experience in the United States.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826365507