Argentina's Transformation: 1862-1914

The Birth of a Nation: 1862-1880

In 1862, the Viceroyalty of the United Provinces of La Plata became a unified country, Argentina. Between 1862 and 1880, the presidencies of Bartolomé Mitre, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, and Nicolás Avellaneda laid the foundation for a modern nation. Their administrations focused on establishing a national government, a single currency, and a national army. While some provinces opposed these changes, fearing the centralization of power in Buenos Aires, the leaders recognized the need for unity. To maintain order, they promoted an increase in the population and improvements in transportation and communication. In the 1870s, General Julio Argentino Roca led a military campaign to subdue the indigenous population and gain control of their land.

Consolidation and Growth: 1880-1914

The Roca Era

In 1880, Roca, the National Autonomist Party (PAN) candidate, was elected president. His administration consolidated the national state, created the civil registry, and enacted the Law of General Education. This period saw political stability among the provinces and rapid economic growth.

The Oligarchic Regime

The ruling elite believed that only those with education and wealth should govern.

Voting Practices

Voting at that time was not compulsory and was conducted out loud. Electoral fraud was frequent, with individuals voting multiple times and manipulating the polls. The PAN consistently won elections, often through pre-arranged outcomes. Following Roca's resignation in 1886, his brother-in-law, Miguel Juárez Celman, succeeded him as the PAN candidate.

The Agro-Export Model

Since 1880, Argentina became a major exporter of agricultural products, selling raw materials to industrialized countries. The cultivation of cereals increased, and livestock breeds were improved. To expand agricultural production, new lands were needed, leading to the further displacement of indigenous populations. This economic model attracted foreign investors, particularly the British, who built railroads to transport raw materials more efficiently to ports.

Immigration and Demographic Change

The Arrival of Immigrants

Since 1860, under President Nicolás Avellaneda, the National Immigration Law aimed to encourage immigration.

• First National Census (1869): Over 1,800,000 inhabitants.
• Second National Census (1895) and Third National Census (1914): The population had doubled.

Furthermore, the distribution of the population shifted, with more people living in both rural areas and cities. Immigration brought significant cultural changes to Argentina.