Territorial dispossession and indigenous extermination campaigns in the Northeast of Santa Fe Province (1866-1890)

Abstract

At the end of the 19th century, the Argentine State campaigned across the Chaco region to extend its territory. Earlier, European and American immigrants had colonized the northeast area of present-day Santa Fe Province and raided against Mocoví people, already settled there. Although these campaignstook place particularly throughout the decade of 1870 they continued at least until 1890. This article analyzes and discusses their characteristics and purposes in detail. After examining the reports of the colonists involved in many of the incursions and comparing them with complementary documents of thetime, it is claimed that these campaigns sought displacement and annihilation of the indigenous people. Moreover, this work contributes to the study of Mocoví society, economy, and culture during the second half of the 19th century.