Publication Date

5-2014

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

12-20-2013

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Masters of Arts in History

Department

History

Supervisory Committee Chair

John Bieter, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Errol D. Jones, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Sergio Romero, Ph.D.

Abstract

Social networks at places of destination play a critical role in the adaptation, adjustment and, at times, the success of immigrant groups abroad. However, despite that importance, Colombian immigrant social networks often fragment. What causes this group to do this? Three reasons for this fragmentation are domestic conflict and violence, exported divisions, and stigma and stereotypes. This paper extends the argument that the three reasons posited by scholars, together, are evidence of Historical Trauma. In order to do so it required the interweaving of three disciplinary fields, history, sociology, and psychology to answer the research question. This paper analyses the history of Colombia post 1948, it also looks at the literature on Colombian fragmentation occurring in the Diaspora, and applies the findings to a small case study of Colombian immigrants in the state of Idaho.

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