The Chaco population process during late colonial period

Abstract

In this paper we will analyze some of the main political, economic and social objectives that led the Spanish-Creoles to try to conquer the Chaco. With this purpose, we will research into the main characteristics of some of the most relevant colonization projects outlined at the end of the colonial period, between 1767 and 1810. Although the conquest of this territory was far more extended in time, its main characteristics   developed in those years. The initial date corresponds to the Jesuit Order expulsion by Carlos III, within the framework of the so-called Bourbon Reforms. This measure had a direct impact on the colonization practices existing until then. The choice of 1810 as a final point for this paper is due to the May Revolution which marks the emergence of new political priorities that left the conquest of the Chaco region in second place by order of importance.

In order to carry out this work, we have examined documentation available in different Argentine archives. It has been compared with different Spanish and Brazilian websites of edited sources available in different formats.