British Owned Railways In Argentina

Lewis examines the complex combinations of British and Argentine forces involved in the rapid development of modern Argentina after its former pastoral and parochial socio-economic structure was superseded by the formation of a modern republic, which was largely financed by external sources and made it one of the most dynamic and prosperous countries of the mid and late 19th century. His work demonstrates the conflicting, often contradictory, expectations of the parties concerned, and how these divergent expectations and preconceptions were successfully harmonised and evolved.

"This book is the first comprehensive account of the former British-owned broad, standard and metre gauge railways in Argentina. It traces the growth of these railways for the earliest beginnings in 1860 until they were nationalized in 1948. At their height, British Railways in Argentina represented one of the largest investments of British capital in a foreign country, about 55 billion pounds in today's values. At the end of the 19th century, they accounted for 81% of the total railway mileage in Argentina and even by 1948 after a significant expansion of State owned railroads, still accounted for 57% of the total. This book provides a clear and detailed survey of the 17 British companies that were originally involved and their gradual amalgamation and co-ordination. The book is not intended to be a complete treatise on this subject but it provides an excellent introduction and survey of the field and it is hoped that it will stimulate further research by other historians. Covers early pioneers, locomotives and rolling stock, permanent way, bridges and tunnels, signaling, telegraphs and telephone train control, as well as brief discussion of each of the railways. Illustrated with black and white photos, diagrams and charts. With maps, rosters, list of officers, list of ocean-going ships connected to the railways, station maps, gradient profile, and bibliography." --Descripción del editor.

During the nineteenth century, British-owned railways grew under the protection of an Argentine ruling elite that considered railways both instruments and symbols of progress. Under this program of support for foreign enterprise, Argentina had by 1914 built the largest railway network in Latin America. During the first decades of the twentieth century, the railways were successful in following a policy of calculated disregard for Argentine interests in general. However, following the end of World War I, the British economic empire began to decline and Argentine economic nationalism grew. A number of popularistic political movements incorporated economic nationalism into their platforms, and even among the ruling elite there were signs of increasing nationalistic sentiment. Although most studies of economic nationalism have emphasized the importance of the middle-class Radical party in the rise of xenophobia, Winthrop R. Wright's study shows that antiforeign economic nationalism was not entirely a reaction to the conservative elite. Between 1932 and 1938 the nationalistic programs of General Agustin Justo's government—basically a conservative regime—led the British interests to decide to sell their holdings. The British govemment had arrived at a position of supporting the economic withdrawal of the large British-owned firms long before Juan D. Perón appeared on the political scene. Perón combined traditional Argentine economic nationalism with his own scheme to gain power over all elements in Argentina. His solution to the railway problem, although more dramatically executed, did not differ greatly from that of the conservative Justo. Perón purchased the railways outright in 1947–1948, but his use of nationalism was in reality covering his own inability to outbargain Britain and the United States following the conclusion of World War II.