New Books Network Erika Pani, "Torn Asunder: Republican Crises and Civil Wars in the United States and Mexico, 1848-1867" (UNC Press, 2025)
Nov 26, 2025
In this engaging discussion, historian Erika Pani, a research professor at El Colegio de México, explores her new work, Torn Asunder, which examines the parallel crises and civil wars in the United States and Mexico from 1848 to 1867. She highlights pivotal moments, such as the 1848 geopolitical shifts and the shared processes that led to civil wars in both nations. Pani also contrasts the divergent issues of slavery in the U.S. with Mexico's conflicts over the Catholic Church, emphasizing how these nations’ republican systems demonstrated remarkable resilience during times of upheaval.
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1848 As A Continental Turning Point
- 1848 reshaped North America by territorial change as much as Europe by revolution.
- The U.S.-Mexico War made the U.S. continental and set both republics on collision courses toward civil war.
Polarization Made Violence Seem Inevitable
- Polarization narrowed political common ground and made violence appear inevitable in both republics.
- Secession functioned first as flight but then escalated into full civil wars in Mexico and the U.S.
Different Fault Lines, Similar Collapse
- The core issues differed: U.S. conflict centered on slavery and territorial expansion while Mexico's centered on the church's role.
- Different issues produced similar institutional erosion leading to war.
