Economic Diversification and Promotion Projects in Chile, Tucumán and Tarija (18th Century)

SOLER LIZARAZO, LUISA CONSUELO; CRUZ, ENRIQUE N.; KOELTZSCH, GRIT K.

América Latina en la Historia Económica

Instituto de Investigaciones Dr. José María Luis Mora

Lugar: Ciudad de México; Año: 2020 vol. 27 p. 1 - 13

This paper analyzes the diversification and initiatives of economic and productive promotion in the 18th century developed by traders in three areas of South America, which are the Kingdom of Chile, the Governorate of Tucumán and the Tarija district. Through case studies the researchers identify, describe and provide details of the diverse economic activities: commercial, agricultural, mining and proto-industrial, promoted by economic mercantile agents at the end of the colonial period, on the basis of commercial correspondence private, inventories of goods, testimonies, civil and criminal trials. The results show that, despite the importance placed on the development of initiatives to promote production by certain political-bureaucratic sectors, the scope was relative, among other things due to the dynamics of the markets, the financing system and rational calculation of the profit.