The Meat Industry in Argentina and Uruguay for AP World History

Jan 26

2 min read

The meat industry in Argentina and Uruguay is an illustrative example for the Global Economic Development topic in Unit 6 of AP World History. You could reference this example on your AP World History test.

cows in Argentina — 2319591967/Shutterstock

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the development of the cattle and meat industry in Argentina and Uruguay exemplified an export economy heavily dependent on trade with industrial imperial powers, characterized by an unfair trade balance. The vast grasslands, known as the Pampas, provided ideal conditions for cattle ranching, leading to the establishment of extensive ranching operations in these South American countries.

British capital and technology played a crucial role in the development of the cattle and meat industry in Argentina and Uruguay, facilitating the growth of large-scale ranching operations and the establishment of meatpacking facilities. The invention of refrigerated shipping further revolutionized the industry, enabling the transportation of chilled beef over long distances to global markets.

The export of beef from Argentina and Uruguay became a cornerstone of their economies, with the majority of production destined for consumption in Europe and North America. However, despite the significant quantities of beef exported, the trade relationship was marked by an unfair trade balance. While Argentina and Uruguay supplied raw beef to industrialized nations, they imported manufactured goods and technologies at high costs, resulting in a net outflow of wealth and resources.

The unfair trade balance had profound economic consequences for Argentina and Uruguay, perpetuating dependency on industrial imperial powers and hindering domestic industrial development. The exploitation of natural resources and labor also led to social inequalities and environmental degradation in these countries.

The development of the cattle and meat industry in Argentina and Uruguay highlights the exploitative nature of colonial economic relationships, where colonies served as resource extraction zones for the benefit of industrial imperial powers. Despite the economic gains derived from beef exports, Argentina and Uruguay faced economic subordination and environmental degradation, underscoring colonialism’s enduring legacy in shaping global economic structures and inequalities.