Early Mechanization, Massification Of The Steam And Lack Of Work As Causes Of The Emigration Of Chileans Abroad. 19th Century And Early 20th

Abstract

This paper seeks to demonstrate that the massive presence of
Chileans abroad is directly connected with low wages and the
lack of occupational opportunities generated in Chile during
the 19th century. Even more, the mechanization during the
proto-industrialization prevented the opening of major sources
of employment in the major cities of the country. This can
be related to the fact that machines reduced the need of workers
in a sector in which women and children exceeded a 30%
of the total labor force, according to the first census raised
by the Sociedad de Fomento Fabril between 1894-1895. This
bleak picture was further expanded when the Chilean and foreign
manufacturers prioritized the recruitment of foreigners,
especially when they arrived en masse in 1889-1890, and were
hired with low wages.

Keywords: Emigration, agricultural and factory mechanization,
proto-industrialization, women and child workers, foreign contribution.