The origins of industrialization in Valdivia: German immigration, geography and economic recovery

Abstract

This study focuses on regional history and the relationshiop between the economy, the geographic environment and circumstancial events of a social nature. An example of these happenings is the arrival to the Valdivia region of German settlers brought by the Chilean state to exploit the land and devote themselves to agricultural work. However, due to environmental limitations, these tasks could not be carried out completely, which forced the settlers to return to their former manual, practical and intellectual occupations. Later on, this resulted in an economic-commercial reactivation which in future years would give way to a considerable number of industries of regional and national importance.