Category: Research project 2: Images of Latin America in the late 1800s and early 1900s

Research Assignment #2 – Estatua de Colón

Cristobal Colón, known to most as Christopher Columbus, is a fairly controversial figure in Puerto Rico. Since the arrival of the Spaniards in 1493, the island had faced systemic marginalization and exploitation; starting with the colonization that wiped out large portions of the indigenous Taínos. The Spaniards renamed ‘Borikén’ to Puerto Rico, meaning rich port, because of its resources which were stripped from their hands without regard. Once the indigenous population died down, they relied on African slaves for labor, creating a stronger Spaniard economy. This forced them into a slavery based economy and a territory of dictatorship under Spain. Moving forward to the Spanish-American war in 1898, once the U.S. gained control of the island, conditions for Puerto Ricans were no different from before. Though slavery was abolished in 1873, the exploitative conditions the plantation workers were put under were not much different. To this day, the economic and political challenges actively affect the majority of the island. This includes limited self-governance, unequal treatment under U.S. laws, etcetera. The history of colonialism and dependency on a ‘Mother country’ has contributed to consistent issues for Puerto Rico, illustrating a pattern of demise. 

The statue of Colón was put there as commemoration of his discovery of Puerto Rico. His influence on the exploration of the New World, enhancing the knowledge we have today cannot be denied, but the manner in which it was done can never be justified. The image of the statue was taken in the light of Colón being a savior, an explorer that led to greater things for Spaniards, a booming economy, etcetera. The reality behind this was that the statue made the people of Puerto Rico (working class) question their identity. Much like the Ecuadorians in the “Popular Liberalism and Indian Servitude” reading by Derek Williams. He writes, “With the elimination of tutelage, Indians would in theory enjoy the same legal identity and capacity as the commonality of Ecuadorans” (Williams 705). [keywords in theory] The sense of not belonging to either generalization is what created the Puerto Rican diaspora. The diaspora emerged as a response to the political instability, economic challenges, and the impact of Spanish colonial rule on the people. 

The statue of Colón symbolizes the complex and controversial legacy of Spaniard colonization, serving as a focal point for the island’s ongoing struggles with identity and historical memory. The mixed emotions surrounding Colón, ranging from pride in heritage to criticism of colonial oppression, reflect the broader implications of colonialism on Puerto Rican identity. Ultimately, the statue stands as a reminder of a painful past, but also the growth made since 1493.

Arrival of immigrants. (1850). The Latin American Library.

The expansion of Latin America’s export-oriented economy in the mid-19th century is a significant historical development that can be illustrated by the image of horse carts with immigrants. The carts, filled with people seeking new opportunities and merchandise for trade, create a dynamic and diverse atmosphere against the backdrop of the port. The salty sea breeze mixes with the sounds of chatter in various languages, blending the hopes and dreams of those arriving with the hustle and bustle of commerce. This period marked a transformative era for many Latin American countries, including Argentina, as they integrated more deeply into the global economy through the export of agricultural products and raw materials.

The sight of carts rolling onto the sandy shores symbolizes the beginning of new journeys and connections, as individuals from different backgrounds and cultures converge at this pivotal point of arrival. The face of immigrants reflects a mix of excitement, apprehension, and determination as they step onto this new land.

In this image, the carts represent not just the physical goods being transported but also the dreams, aspirations, and resilience of those embarking on a new chapter in their lives. The scene captures the essence of movement, change, and the blending of cultures at Port San Martin, a getaway where stories of migration, trade, and human connection unfold against the backdrop of the sea of Buenos Aires.

We learn in class about the Anglo-French Blockade. The Anglo-French blockade was a military and naval intervention by Britain and France aimed at opening Argentina’s interior rivers to international trade and weakening the power of Buenos Aires’ governor, Juan Manuel de Rosas . During this period, Buenos Aires faced economic difficulties due to the disruption of trade and military pressure.

In this context, the arrival of horse carts loaded with immigrants and goods at Port San Martin in 1850 could be seen as a sign of recovery and resilience. The immigrants arriving were seeking new opportunities and contributed to the diversification and economic growth of the region. The goods transported in the carts were essential for reactivating trade and supplying the city after years of blockade. 

The goods being transported in the horse carts likely included agricultural products such as beef, hides, and wool, which were in high demand in international markets. The expansion of these exports was facilitated by improvements in transportation infrastructure, such as the development of ports and railways, which connected the interior agricultural regions with costal export hubs like Buenos Aires. Port San Martin, being a strategic point, would have been crucial for receiving these goods and people. The image of the cart arriving at the beach symbolizes not only the physical movement of merchandise but also the resilience and adaptability of Buenos Aires in the face of the adversities imposed by the blockade.

Moreover, the arrival of immigrants at Port San Martin highlights the role of human capital in the expansion of the export economy. Many immigrants were escaping economic hardships in Europe and were eager to seize new opportunities in Latin America.

In conclusion, the image of horse carts with immigrants and goods arriving at Port San Martin in Buenos Aires in 1850 serves as a powerful symbol of the expansion of Latin America’s export-oriented economy. It reflects the resilience of the local economy in the face of external pressures, the critical role of infrastructure development, and the significant contributions of immigrants to economic growth.

Tulane University Howard-Tilton Memorial Library of Early Images of Latin America Collection, Source: Box 10, Album 12, Costa Rica_03above, Building of the United Fruit Company.

This image depicts the construction of the United Fruit Company’s infrastructure in the Costa Rican port city of Limon. The archival description indicates that the image was created in 1890s. Within the picture, there are some buildings and trees in the background with a lot of land in front and center. At the center, there is a track or railroad that curves, with one end going left and the other pointed south. The construction of the railroad is part of an exchange made between the United Fruit Company and Costa Rica in 1880 for land that will be used to setup the production and export of bananas. The track is surrounded by construction materials, showing the beginning of the United Fruit Company process in building its infrastructure. At the bottom of the picture, there is text both in Spanish and English, stating that the construction of this company is at Limon. Limon is a province located in Costa Rica.

The United Fruit Company was created in a merger of the Boston Fruit Company and the companies held under Minor C. Keith. This newly formed merger aimed to capitalize on the growing demand for banana as a staple food in the United States. The United Fruit Company quickly expanded its operations in Central America, acquiring vast tracts of land to establish banana plantations in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica. The company developed a comprehensive infrastructure including ports and railroads like the one in the picture. Both port and railroad were used to facilitate the export of bananas overseas, effectively creating a profitable industry that would dominate the region’s economy for decades. However, the business practices of the United Fruit Company had negative impacts on the marginalized workers and the environment. “ The dynamic created by the epidemic [of plant-based pathogens led to] accelerated rates of deforestation in humid, lowland tropical regions, destabilized local economies, and indirectly heightened the incidence of malaria among plantation workers.”¹ Still these issues were not of any concern to the United Fruit Company, until these plant-based diseases started ravaging their banana plantation. From that point onward, the United Fruit Company focused on developing a banana that is both disease-resistant and maintains its quality, while acquiring new land in Central America to make more banana plantations.

The United Fruit Company can be seen as a case study of the expansion of Latin America’s export-oriented economy, neo-colonialism with liberal ideas such as the promotion of free trade and minimal government intervention in the economy. The United Fruit Company minimize government involvement on their business by collaborating with local governments in Central America and manipulating U.S. foreign policy to protect its interests. “ In 1911, United Fruit sold its interests in three companies not under its direct management in an effort to placate U.S. government officials who were increasingly concerned about its business practices.”² “In Central America, United Fruit and its main competitors-Standard Fruit and Cuyamel Fruit-used their economic muscle to gain political favors by hiring influential lobbyists, providing loans to cash-strapped governments, and, on more than one occasion, backing armed insurgents and/or military governments.”³ Minimal involvement in the business practices of the United Fruit Company led to massive control over the land, to the extent that made these countries dependent on the corporation. “ In 1926, United Fruit controlled around 650,000 hectares of land including 70,000 hectares of active banana plantations in the Caribbean and Central America. The fruit companies also financed the construction of hundreds of kilometers of railroad; employed tens of thousands of people; and operated stores, hospitals, schools, radio stations, breweries, and banks.”⁴ According to Standley, both a botanist and a critic of the United Company describes his observations from the Ulua River, Honduras in 1927-28: “Practically all of the land within this area that is fit for the purpose is covered with banana plants, which, however beautiful when standing alone or in moderate quantities, become exceedingly monotonous when massed in plantations many miles in extent.”⁵ Standley’s observations illustrates how the United Fruit Company’s export-oriented economy, transforms the geography of Honduras with the vast amount of the banana plantations.

Works Cited (Footnotes)

1. John Soluri, “Accounting for Taste: Export Bananas, Mass Markets, and Panama Disease.” Environmental History 7, no. 3 (2002): 386. https://doi.org/10.2307/3985915.
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2. Ibid, 390. ↩︎
3. Ibid, 390. ↩︎
4. Ibid, 391. ↩︎
5. Ibid, 394. ↩︎

Work Cited (Bibliography)

Soluri, John. “Accounting for Taste: Export Bananas, Mass Markets, and Panama Disease.” Environmental History 7, no. 3 (2002): 386–410. https://doi.org/10.2307/3985915.