Great European immigration wave to Argentina

[2] With other significant groups that arrived including the French, Basque, Germans, Jews, Arabs, Polish, Hungarians and Russians; while to a lesser extent Turks, Welsh, Yugoslavians, English, Swiss, Portuguese and various others.

[1] The migrants have been incredibly influential in the demographic makeup of Argentina, drastically changing the ethnic structure and increasing the urban population (from 28% in 1869 to 57% in 1930).

[4] The remnants of the Immigration Wave of migrants are still visible in Argentina today, not only as a result of their influence on the country's economic and political history, but as cultural cornerstones in both urban and rural communities alike.

It greatly facilitated inter-oceanic migration, and made Europe much more vulnerable to mass emigration from any event affecting society.

By the end of the 19th century, sea passages became relatively accessible, and the travel time between European ports and Buenos Aires had significantly shortened.

[6] Italy is a notable example of the economic difficulties faced during that time, with many Italian agricultural laborers living close to starvation.

Since the cost of transoceanic transport had significantly decreased, wheat from the United States reached the Italian market at prices much more competitive than domestic production.

[6] While Europe was going through this instability, Argentina experienced its period of greatest economic growth up to that time, due to the huge influx of money caused by the rise of the agroexport model.

Argentina possessed an untapped wealth of natural resources that created high demand for both skilled and unskilled labor.

[13] In addition, Argentina was going through a process of political pacification and consolidation of its institutions, giving an end to an era marked by several civil wars.

Alberdi wrote in his work the famous phrase "To govern is to populate" because he saw immigration as "a means of progress and culture for South America".

[18][3] Thus, inspired by Alberdi's work, the 1853 Constitution in its article 20 and 25 said the following: Article 20.- Foreigners enjoy all the civil rights of citizens in the territory of the Confederation: they may exercise their industry, commerce and profession; own real estate, purchase and transfer it; navigate the rivers and coasts; freely practice their religion; make wills and marry according to the law.

They obtain naturalization by residing two continuous years in the Confederation; but the authority may shorten this period in favor of the person who requests it, alleging and proving service to the Republic.Article 25.- The Federal Government shall encourage European immigration; and may not restrict, limit or impose any tax on the entry into Argentine territory of foreigners who bring the purpose of working the land, improving industries and introducing and teaching science and the arts.Former president and thinker Domingo Faustino Sarmiento also believed that European immigration would develop Argentina.

Like many thinkers of his time, he understood that civilization was identified with Europe, which he saw as the source of progress for Argentina in his famous essay "Facundo".

[21] Geographically, Argentina has easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, its Pampa region is one of the most fertile and extensive areas for cultivation on the planet and its temperature is temperate such as that in most of Europe.

[28] The agricultural sector was equipped to handle the increase in laborers, as many rural property owners had uncultivated farm land.

[30] The elites (the descendants of the Spanish colonial ruling class, along with a small group of wealthy European immigrants) believed that American Indians should be part of the Argentine society culturally and identically and that European immigrants could industrialise the primitive country of Argentina in order to provide socioeconomic opportunities and foment the Argentine national identity.

[28] A diversity of cultural ideals, a growing middle class, and activism of immigrants who had fled their home country because of their political beliefs created a rich union, socialist, and anarchist presence in Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires.

[33] By 1901, movements fueled by Spanish, Italian, and French immigrants had organized and were enacting labor strikes and protests against the government.

[34] In response, the government began deporting immigrants that they felt threatened their institutions, whether they were criminals or political agitators, via a new Residency Law.

[29] The turn of the century saw increased regulation of immigration, a political response to racial and social questions posed by an influx of Europeans.

[31] Newspapers often contained descriptions that "stereotyped the typical anarchist as a fat, swarthy, and ugly Italian or Spaniard bristling with knives, bombs, and other lethal weapons.

[31] These measures, coupled with the onset of World War I, made it more difficult for European immigrants to find a home in Argentina.