The Great European Immigration Wave to Argentina was a major source of economic growth and social change for Argentina. Beginning in the late 19th century, the wave consisted largely of Italian and Spanish immigrants, though it did include other nationalities and ethnic groups most notably a large Slavic and Jewish population. The rapid influx of European migrants led to immense population growth in Argentina, and the migrants were incredibly influential in the politics of the nation by introducing political concepts like labor unions and socialism into the country’s political zeitgeist. 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. Shifting labor markets and decreased reliance on European economics after the outbreak of World War I had a huge effect on European Migration to Argentina. These factors all lead to the end of the Great European Immigration Wave and began an era of Latin American politics primarily focused on domestic growth rather than the outsourcing of international labor.
Causes
In Argentina, the economic demand for immigration, political support, and racial ideology of elites created strong conditions for a wave of Europeans to enter the country.
Immigration policies
From the 1850s into the early 1900s, Argentina’s national policy was one of maximizing immigration. The Constitution of Argentina of 1853 promoted European immigration in its 25th article, which prohibited any barriers on immigration. Only the “insane” and those with communicable diseases were not allowed.
The Immigration and Colonization Act of 1876 further encouraged immigration by subsidizing lodging and transportation, and providing job placement support. This law came at the forefront of the Great European Immigration Wave, and informed part of why Argentina became a mass destination for immigrants.
Economic incentives
In comparison to many other Latin American countries at that time, Argentina offered higher wage opportunities for immigrants. These wages were also significantly higher than those available in some of the main source countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Argentina possessed an untapped wealth of natural resources that created high demand for both skilled and unskilled labor.
Racial motives
One salient motive for the promotion of European immigration was the belief that a large European population was needed to “modernize” the country. Argentine intellectuals, such as Juan Bautista Alberdi, believed that population growth and population demographics were equally important to modernization. Argentine elites associated the mestizo population with “backwardness” and as a hindrance to national progress. Whiteness, however, was associated with civility and progress, making an all-white population the ideal. By encouraging European immigration, Argentine elitists and intellectuals saw an opportunity to “whiten” the population and benefit from European technological innovations.
Impact of European immigration
Demographic
As a result of the immigration wave, Argentina’s population was roughly four times larger in 1914 than it was in 1870. Roughly 6.6 million Europeans immigrated to Argentina within this timeframe. While immigrants came from all over Europe, the three most represented countries of origin were Italy, Spain, and France. Collectively, immigrants from these three countries accounted for over 5 million immigrants. While the population increased, Argentine citizenship did not. Legal citizens made up 2.2% of the entire immigrant population by 1914. However, Argentina’s Citizenship Law gave citizenship to all persons born in Argentina. The immigrants themselves did not become citizens, but their children did, which would create a new middle class.
Origin of immigrants up to 1940
Source: National Directorate of Migrations (DNM).