Britain and the Making of Argentina

Britain and the Making of Argentina is a history of the Anglo-Argentine relationship from the early days of Argentina's independence. It is not merely an economic history but also an account of some of the pioneers who participated in transforming Argentina into a modern state and includes an analysis of why Argentina s development lost momentum after the second world war. In 1914 Argentina was one of the world's great trading nations. Its 8 million inhabitants were exporting more than all the other South American countries, with a population of 56 million, combined. Buenos Aires had become the greatest European metropolis in South America, the Paris of the South. All this had been achieved in only some 25 years, thanks mainly to British technology, capital and management, together with a massive influx of Southern European labor.

The author of this social and economic history reminds us all of the huge part that British capital, British people and British technology played in transforming Argentina into a 20th century economy. He also analyzes the reasons for Argentina s loss of momentum in the post-war world. Much of the history has been forgotten and/or misjudged. That does not make it any less important. In fact, it deserves to be recognized as there are lessons that could be learned from the golden decade of development. The book will appeal to those who have an interest in history and development, especially Argentine and British citizens. Academics, journalists, historians, and economists will all have something to learn from this economic and social history. The British Council should help to promote it as well as Anglo Argentine institutions, academic institutions and libraries.