The ‘Indian question’, labour regimes and ‘National Territories’ in South America, c. 1900

The National Territories, administrative subdivisions first applied in the United States and thereafter extended as far as Tierra del Fuego, were introduced by most South American countries to signal the exceptional nature of reclaimed but unconquered lands, where sovereignty was customarily exerted by indigenous peoples and legally disputed by two or more countries. This presentation will address the imbrication of legal regimes, inter-state disputes and entrepreneurial penetration in dealing with the ‘Indian problem’ through the introduction of particular regimes of labour. From rubber districts to sheep farming stations, export-oriented labour was organized through strict racial, sexual and national hierarchies. The commonalities and peculiarities of those labour regimes are analyzed through travelogues and official documentation.

Alberto Harambour is associate professor at the Universidad Austral de Chile, associate researcher of the FONDAP-Ideal Center on marine socioecological systems, and responsible for the project Work, Colonialism and Frontiers in South America, 1880s-1930s (Fondecyt 1230490, 2023-2027). He recently coedited, with Margarita Serje, La Era del Imperio y las fronteras de la civilización en América del Sur, published in Bogotá by Ediciones UniAndes and in Santiago by Pehuén. 

Details on how to join this session will be sent to all registered attendees 24 hours in advance.  Booking will therefore close the day before the scheduled date.