History 3072: History of Modern Latin America, Fall 2024

The photo above showcases the work done on United Fruit Company plantations in Costa Rica circa 1890. The United Fruit Company operated banana plantations throughout Central America and the Caribbean, transporting bananas from the southern American hemisphere to the U.S. and Canadian cities in the north. Formerly the Boston Fruit Company, it grew its empire through the creation of “Banana-Republics”. By incentivizing small Central American nations with infrastructure such as railroads and ports, they also “employed tens of thousands of people; and operated stores, hospitals, schools, radio stations, breweries, and banks” (Soluri, 395). However, this wouldn’t have been possible without the consumption and demand for bananas in the northern hemisphere. Eaten at higher rates than domestically grown fruits like apples, bananas became a staple for American households for important reasons including, nutritional value, germ-resistant properties, economic accessibility and readiness at the time of eating. 

The United Fruit Company depicted itself as a pioneer in technology and business practice, it brought “modernity to ‘pestilential’ tropical regions via industrial capitalism” (Soluri, 393). The cultivation of bananas in nations like Costa Rica called for the destruction of thousands upon thousands of acres of forest. In the photograph above, the trees have a uniform appearance except perhaps for what can be seen far off in the distance. The zipline structure transporting bananas across the plantation can be seen extending beyond a body of water and coming from outside the frame of the image. How far the zipline extends is unknown, however, it is clear that by the small size of the man in the distance compared to the four men in the center he is quite far. The man being carried in the banana baskets might suggest he is coming from an equally long distance, so much so he feels compelled to take the zipline as a means of transportation to get from one section to another. 

Despite the critiques of biologists such as Paul Standley, James Peters and Claude Wardlaw, who highlighted the destruction of entire ecosystems and exploitation of the land. The United Fruit Company’s abuse of the land would eventually lead to the spread of the Panama disease which destroyed entire plantations and farms as it spread throughout the Americas. The company along with its competitors continued to destroy more land and abandon land it deemed unfit or contaminated to meet demands. The “Banana-Republics” which enabled and allowed these practices for infrastructure and financial gain shows the dependency of Latin America on export oriented economies that ultimately gave them the butt-end of the stick. The destruction of not only their lands and forced dependency on a foreign entity but the eventual toll it took on their working population, affected by agrochemicals and exploitation was severe. 

Works Cited

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. 

During the late 19th century

During the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, liberalists believed in free trade and exchange across borders. The Industrial Revolution dominated most political and economic conversations during this period, bringing modernity to the forefront. Finding ways to use resources like railroads and machinery to generate more wealth for nations was part of this economic transformation. Since slavery had been abolished in most countries in the Caribbean and South America, postcolonial challenges included finding ways to obtain resources and create profit in the New World and Europe. Because of the geographical component of countries located in South America, it was difficult to navigate due to mountains, lack of rivers, and citations of mining systems flooding and caving in. Therefore, using the coasts of countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia were ways for ships and cargo to be transported from the Americas to the New World. More challenges rose as he led civil wars. Some of these wars occurred due to liberal reformed disapproval of opening the access of exports, like El Gran Rosas. On the other hand, being a caudillo means being an agent of change. With themes of liberalism meant adapting to the modernizing world. More specifically, railroads were introduced into Latin America on flat lands to be able to transport raw materials. The emperor of Brazil also decided to invest in railroads and manufacturing to modernize as well. Some of these included henequen from Mexico, guano in the Chincha Islands, sugarcane, coffee, etc. This also meant that the colonial elites were entering and industrializing Latin America. In certain cases, indigenous leaders would give political rights to Europeans, leading to failed economic and political projects. Engaging in a liberal economy meant a lack of discriminatory practices. Aside from the economic side of neocolonialism, ethnic nationalism meant that members of a nation would identify through their identities, like those from Mexico would be Mexicans, rather than being divided by roots and such. Conforming to the national identity is what gave you rights. The map above shows a lot of history and ideals that occurred during the 1850s to 1900s, including philosophies, economic and political transformations, as well as gerographical components that go into the era of the 19th century . 

WORKS CITED:

“Geography of South America.” Tulane University Libraries, uploaded by The Latin American Library, library.search.tulane.edu/discovery/delivery/01TUL_INST:Tulane/12433174960006326.

Transporting bananas. (1890).https://library.search.tulane.edu/discovery/delivery/01TUL_INST:Tulane/12432877960006326

What the image is demonstrating is the late 1800s farming technology development within Latin America for the purpose of providing Americans products.  This is happening in Costa Rica and it’s demonstrating how new technologies could revolutionize the transport and harvesting of the bananas within the United companies plantations. What the images also portray is the positive attitude towards an economy of export from the Nations in Latin America.

The reasons for implementing this technology by the United Fruit Company was and could be a result of companies agreeing with the local government  to win political favors within the production and plantations of that land for profit. This may be good for the workers in those plantations as you can see. It demonstrates one of the workers writing the mechanism back to the plantation; it may not inherently be for the workers interests but more or less the interest of the government and the United Fruit Company. With gaining political favors with the local governments of Latin America they could stop taxes or land reform if they have influence Within the economy and also contribute to the simulation of the economy of these countries. For example within the reading United Fruit Company mentioned that “In return for agreeing to build and operate railroads, the fruit companies secured access to vast amounts of soil, timber, and water resources in addition to enjoying exemptions from import duties on construction materials, machinery, and other items, including consumer goods, used by their operations” (line 391 Soluri, John) This highlights how the interest of the United Fruit Company may have not been any interest of the local governments and that could translate towards the image and which is being demonstrated how this technology is not for making the workers better but to increase efficiency for the companies. 

Why is this important to highlight how the company United Fruit is treating its plantations and how they’re running things within Latin America. This image highlights an important key aspect of how the increase of American influence Within Latin America could be translated through the Americans’ appetite. The American Appetite can demonstrate how interconnected this image has and the Americans and Latin America relationships.  It shows that Latin America depends on exporting  raw goods and materials to help manage the economy of their countries. Which shows how Americans depend on these goods for their everyday nutrition and consumption as well as luxury. 

And to conclude this image is very strong and demonstrates the new development of neo-colonial economies that America’s imposing on companies. This could be similar to how the British use companies to control India instead of the government having the say over what to do with colonies. This also demonstrates the Latin American government’s willingness to seek growth through export but also letting exploitation of their land for the growing of their Nation which you can take it as governments  using Spanish tactics of land cultivation but also using modern technology and globalization to export these goods for growth.

Cites
Soluri, John. “Accounting for Taste: Export Bananas, Mass Markets, and Panama Disease.” Environmental History, vol. 7, no. 3, 2002, pp. 386–410. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3985915. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.

Coffee plantation. (1896). The Latin American Library.

https://library.search.tulane.edu/permalink/01TUL_INST/1jgl1pd/alma9945514512306326

By Christopher Vargas                                                                                                    History 3072

            Brazil during the 1800s its economy was derived from agriculture goods and exporting goods and selling them to other countries. One of their primary good that would be cultivated in Brazil and the main source of labor force that was used in Brazil during the 1800s was slaves. In Brazil even after claiming independence from Portugal they still wanted to keep the colonial structure form of government that was left by the Portuguese. They wanted to keep the monarch in power as they new that it would be best to keep a system that is benefiting the country and could cause problems if the system is changed without a plan made beforehand. Even some of the early Brazilian empire symbols still resemble a European style of symbol were Theresa crown and a cross on top of it. in the ones I got to see from the slide lectures it seems like something Spain would use in their symbols.

            Pedro II is seen as a monarch and comes into power in 1838 he is only 12 years old and a council is made to help him make delegate matters of the country. The country uses agriculture goods to trade, transport and sell to Europe and other countries making their economy self-sufficient. The only thing they rely is on that was not from Brazil was slaves. “Most enslaved Africans brought to the Americas ended up in Brazil, and most of them worked on plantations.”[1] From what I learned in one of our class lessons was that the Brazilian Government wanted to industrialize and wanted to get machinery that would help cultivate and manage the crops better. The plantation owners believed that industrial machines would be more effective than slaves.

In the primary source A Day on a Coffee Plantation by Stanley J. Stein we learned about some of the daily routines of slaves working on a coffee plantation they would work from sunup and we learn about the different job’s slaves had cooks, the ones attending the land and the mothers that would be nursing the young children would look after them while helping. In 1889 the monarchy is overthrown but, before that Princess Isabel Abolishes slavery, and Brazil becomes a democracy.

---

[1] Stanley J. Stein “A Day on a Caffee Plantation” Vassouras: A Brazilian Coffee County, 1850-1900 (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 1957)

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.