Abstract

ZARRILLI, Adriàn Gustavo. The Red Gold: The Tanin Industry in Argentina (1990-1950). Silva Lus. [online]. 2008, vol.16, n.2, pp.239-259. ISSN 0870-6352.

Between the end of the 19^th century and beginnings of the 20^th, Argentina had about 30% of its continental surface covered by woods. The demand of primary products from the native woods, which at that time caused the technification of cattle management, the increase in the agricultural surface, and, as a consequence, the expansion of the railway, brought about an important reduction of this forest surface. In addition to this, the consequent needs caused by the First World War, when our country became the main producer of tannin extract -the "red gold" of the world- should be taken into account. The principal object of environmental history is to deepen our understanding of how humans have been affected by their natural environment in the past and also how they affected that environment and with what results. Environmental history is studying the interaction between humans and the environment in the past. In this article the principal purpose is to analyse, from a environmental history perspective, the process of exploitation of the argentinean forest resources (specifically in the "Gran Chaco" region) in the context of its incorporation to the capitalist market. Ecological destruction, overexploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation were part of the process our natural forest had to undergo so as to become a member of the world market, through the development of forest industry.

Keywords : History; Environmental; Forest; Argentina; Tanin.

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