Welsh Stronghold in Argentina
Argentina continued to welcome European settlers long after Spaniards had gone. Probably, it is one of the most characteristic trends in Argentine history and one of the basics of economical advancement. Greatly thanks to Europeans' and their contribution to Argentine culture numerous settlements around the countries are former cores of immigrants. One of them is to some extent a colony founded by the Welsh in 1860s. Considering the scales of English empire at the time, it is quite unlikely to imagine Welsh people in South America rather than in India or Australia. But the history recalls the other facts.
The idea of Welsh housing in Argentina was brought up by Michael D. Johnson, a professor who worked in the USA and observed Welsh culture. He came to a conclusion that these people assimilate easier than any other nation in the world and it is possible to create a cradle of Welsh culture outside native lands. After considering Australia, Palestine and New Zealand as apparent options for overseas settlement, Argentine government offered him lands and related facilities to build a new town. The offer was accepted and required funds for immigrants' shipping and accommodation were found. On July 27th 1865 one hundred fifty three Welsh settlers landed in the valley of Chubut.
However, it had been truly a thorny path for new-comers before they settled. There was no water or horses, expected to facilitate travelers. They had had to go on feet inland till they clashed Chubut River. The long-terming journey took lives of one third people. On the river banks Welsh immigrants founded the first settlement of Rawson. Thus, hardships did not over: soon after the final construction and planting some crops, brought from natives, there was a flood that washed away houses and fields.
In the following years the Welsh built the most fertile and economically prosperous province in Argentina thanks to gradual collaboration and assimilation with local tribes. In sober fact, Professor Michael Johnson was right in his choice of Welsh people. They learned to cultivate crops, built an irrigation system, alerted an attention of national authorities to set a railway across Chubut and eventually reached their goal to create a cradle of Welsh culture in Patagonia, that it outside native British Isles. At present, there are about 200 thousand Welsh people in Chubut Province that are formally the descendents of original settlers. Numerous museums and churches in Rawson tell the story of Welsh origins and their contribution to the history of Argentina.
The idea of Welsh housing in Argentina was brought up by Michael D. Johnson, a professor who worked in the USA and observed Welsh culture. He came to a conclusion that these people assimilate easier than any other nation in the world and it is possible to create a cradle of Welsh culture outside native lands. After considering Australia, Palestine and New Zealand as apparent options for overseas settlement, Argentine government offered him lands and related facilities to build a new town. The offer was accepted and required funds for immigrants' shipping and accommodation were found. On July 27th 1865 one hundred fifty three Welsh settlers landed in the valley of Chubut.
However, it had been truly a thorny path for new-comers before they settled. There was no water or horses, expected to facilitate travelers. They had had to go on feet inland till they clashed Chubut River. The long-terming journey took lives of one third people. On the river banks Welsh immigrants founded the first settlement of Rawson. Thus, hardships did not over: soon after the final construction and planting some crops, brought from natives, there was a flood that washed away houses and fields.
In the following years the Welsh built the most fertile and economically prosperous province in Argentina thanks to gradual collaboration and assimilation with local tribes. In sober fact, Professor Michael Johnson was right in his choice of Welsh people. They learned to cultivate crops, built an irrigation system, alerted an attention of national authorities to set a railway across Chubut and eventually reached their goal to create a cradle of Welsh culture in Patagonia, that it outside native British Isles. At present, there are about 200 thousand Welsh people in Chubut Province that are formally the descendents of original settlers. Numerous museums and churches in Rawson tell the story of Welsh origins and their contribution to the history of Argentina.
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