Labor and Immigration (Sanchez-Alonso)

Question 1

What period is known as the age of mass migration to Latin America?

Answer 1

1880 to 1930

This period marked significant European immigration, especially to Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and Uruguay.

Question 2

What were the main countries receiving European immigrants between 1880 and 1930?

Answer 2

Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Uruguay

Over 90% of European immigrants settled in these countries.

Question 3

What was the primary reason for Latin America’s late entry into mass migration?

Answer 3

Political instability, low labor demand, high travel costs, unattractive conditions

These factors delayed substantial immigration until the 1880s.

Question 4

What immigration policy did Argentina adopt after its 1853 Constitution?

Answer 4

Open-door policy

This policy offered civil rights to foreigners and had minimal exclusion criteria.

Question 5

How did Brazil’s immigration policy differ from Argentina’s?

Answer 5

Subsidized immigration targeting agricultural workers

Brazil focused on attracting labor for coffee plantations.

Question 6

What stereotype about Latin American immigrants does the source challenge?

Answer 6

The belief that they were predominantly unskilled and illiterate

Evidence suggests immigrants were positively selected from their countries of origin.

Question 7

What demographic impact did immigration have on Latin America?

Answer 7

Increased labor force and population growth

Immigrants contributed to economic output and altered demographic structures.

Question 8

What percentage of Argentina’s urban population were foreigners by 1914?

Answer 8

37%

This reflects the significant urbanization driven by immigration.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: Brazil’s system of _______ immigration aimed to provide labor for coffee plantations.

Answer 9

subsidized

This system was crucial for meeting labor demands after the abolition of slavery.

Question 10

True or False: The majority of European immigrants to Latin America were skilled laborers.

Answer 10

False

Many were unskilled laborers, but the overall quality varied by nationality.

Question 11

What was the literacy rate comparison between immigrants in Latin America and their countries of origin?

Answer 11

Higher literacy rates among immigrants

For example, only 26% of Spaniards in Argentina were illiterate compared to 50% in Spain.

Question 12

How did immigration affect Argentina’s dependency rates in 1914?

Answer 12

Higher dependency rates compared to Australia, Canada, and the USA

This demographic burden potentially hindered economic development.

Question 13

What significant characteristic did many European immigrants share during this period?

Answer 13

High rates of return migration

Many intended to earn wages and return to their home countries.

Question 14

What was the main driver of immigration policy in Cuba during this era?

Answer 14

Needs of the sugar industry

Policies fluctuated between restriction and encouragement based on labor demand.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: The Immigration Law of 1876 in Argentina focused primarily on _______ and age for entry.

Answer 15

health

Excluded primarily those over 60 years old.

Question 16

What is a key conclusion about the economic impact of immigration in Argentina?

Answer 16

Immigrants contributed significantly to economic growth

They boosted the labor force and were predominantly young adults.

Question 17

What evidence shows that immigrants adapted their skills over time?

Answer 17

Occupational mobility

Many transitioned into different roles within urban labor markets.

Question 18

True or False: The United States received more European immigrants than Argentina between 1871 and 1940.

Answer 18

True

The US accepted 33,624,000 immigrants compared to Argentina’s 4,733,000.

Question 19

What were the literacy rates among Portuguese immigrants in São Paulo compared to Portugal?

Answer 19

52% illiterate in São Paulo, nearly 70% in Portugal

This indicates a positive selection of immigrants.

Question 20

How did the transport revolution impact European immigration to Latin America?

Answer 20

Made travel cheaper and faster

Facilitated higher rates of migration.

Question 21

What was the significance of the 1917 Immigration Act in Cuba?

Answer 21

Permitted Chinese immigration

This change reflected the pragmatic approach of Cuba’s immigration policy.

Question 22

What percentage of immigrants to Argentina were between 13 and 60 years old from 1857 to 1924?

Answer 22

84%

This age group contributed significantly to the labor force.

Question 23

What was the demographic burden associated with high fertility rates among immigrants?

Answer 23

Increased dependency rates

This may have affected long-term savings and capital accumulation.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: The majority of European immigrants to Latin America came from _______.

Answer 24

Southern Europe

Primarily from Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Question 25

What was the impact of immigration on urbanization in Argentina by 1910?

Answer 25

28.4% of the population lived in towns with over 20,000 inhabitants ## Footnote This signifies rapid urban growth due to immigration.

Question 26

What distinguished the period of 1880-1930 in Latin American immigration history from earlier periods?

Answer 26

Characterised by mass migration from Europe, reaching unprecedented levels and significantly altering social and economic trajectories.

Question 27

Which four Latin American countries were the primary destinations for European immigrants during the mass migration era?

Answer 27

Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and Uruguay.

Question 28

What were some of the institutional factors within Latin American countries that attracted European immigrants after the 1870s?

Answer 28

* Political stability * Clear political will to attract immigration * Religious freedom * Right to private ownership * Respect for civil rights * Welcoming atmosphere towards foreigners

Question 29

Define 'return migration' and what evidence suggests it was a significant feature of European immigration to Latin America?

Answer 29

Return migration refers to immigrants returning to their country of origin after a period abroad. Evidence includes estimations of around 53% in Argentina, 54% in São Paulo, and 53% in Cuba.

Question 30

What role did real wage differentials play in explaining the patterns of European immigration to Latin America?

Answer 30

Real wage differentials between sending and receiving countries influenced migration, but were not the sole explanation.

Question 31

How did the Brazilian government's policy of subsidised immigration influence the flow of European migrants, particularly to São Paulo?

Answer 31

It significantly boosted migration by covering travel expenses and promoting immigration, securing a large labour force for coffee plantations.

Question 32

What were some contrasting features of immigration policies in Argentina and Australia during this period?

Answer 32

Argentina followed an open-door, non-selective policy; Australia implemented an assisted immigration program with a pro-British bias.

Question 33

What is the argument presented against the idea that Latin America received only 'low quality' immigrants from Southern Europe?

Answer 33

Immigrants were often positively selected compared to their home populations, bringing valuable skills and entrepreneurial spirit.

Question 34

How did the concentration of immigrants in urban areas impact urbanisation rates in Latin America?

Answer 34

The influx of immigrants contributed to rapid urbanisation, with countries having the highest immigrant inflows showing higher urban populations.

Question 35

According to Taylor's argument, how might massive immigration have acted as a 'demographic burden' in Argentina?

Answer 35

High immigration rates and higher fertility of immigrants led to a larger dependent population, potentially hindering economic growth.

Question 36

What is 'mass migration'?

Answer 36

A period of very high levels of international migration, specifically the large-scale movement of Europeans to the Americas between approximately 1880 and 1930.

Question 37

What does 'subsidised immigration' refer to?

Answer 37

A policy where the government provides financial assistance to encourage immigration.

Question 38

What is an 'open door policy'?

Answer 38

An immigration policy that places few restrictions on the entry of foreigners.

Question 39

What is a 'selective immigration policy'?

Answer 39

An immigration policy that prioritises or restricts entry based on specific criteria.

Question 40

Define 'social capital'.

Answer 40

Networks of relationships among people enabling a society to function effectively, characterised by trust and cooperation.

Question 41

What is 'human capital'?

Answer 41

Skills, knowledge, and experience possessed by individuals, considered valuable for an economy.

Question 42

What does 'demographic gift' mean?

Answer 42

A period of economic growth resulting from a favourable age structure, with a high proportion of working-age individuals.

Question 43

What is a 'demographic burden'?

Answer 43

A situation where a high proportion of the population is too young or too old to work, increasing the dependency ratio.

Question 44

What are 'golondrinas'?

Answer 44

Seasonal migrant workers in Argentina who travel for temporary agricultural work during harvest seasons.

Question 45

What is the 'Colono System'?

Answer 45

A labour system on Brazilian coffee plantations where immigrant families care for coffee trees and receive a share of the produce.

Question 46

Who are 'latifundistas'?

Answer 46

Owners of large landed estates (latifundios) in Southern Europe and Latin America.

Question 47

What does 'Porfiriato' refer to?

Answer 47

The period of Mexican history (1876-1911) under President Porfirio Díaz.