The United States of America has a long and rich history of Latino businesses and commerce, dating back to the Spanish and Mexican colonial periods. This essay from the American Latino Themes Study explores the growth of Latino businesses and commerce in the U. S., from the Spanish and Mexican colonial periods to the 20th and 21st centuries. The growth of Latino-owned companies and the data collected by U.
S. government agencies that surround them have led to a wave of recognition that has characterized Latino entrepreneurs as members of their communities of central importance, although little studied. As a country, we have focused on the heated debates about labor migration in Latin America, rather than on entrepreneurs who have created markets, played a fundamental role in the development of their communities, and have become organizers and political leaders. Commemorating the long history of Latino business and commercial activities—through their designation as historically significant or simply through greater awareness of them—poses several challenges.
Such a process could involve the recognition that established establishments already recognized, such as the religious missions of the Spanish colonial period, were of broader business and commercial importance. Alternatively, it could involve figuring out how to locate the precise sites of ephemeral activities. For example, how could street corners and parking lots where self-employed day laborers meet to look for work be recognized as historically important? Even more broadly, designating those sites, since many of those who meet there are not American citizens, would require recognition that non-citizens are capable of carrying out productive economic activity that is historically significant. Similarly, while Latino entrepreneurship has often involved temporary activities or extremely small operations, only the largest and most enduring companies have received recognition for their historic importance. Finally, how could the historical importance of companies started by returning migrants who saved money in the United States be affirmed? And did they learn successful business practices here, which allowed them to participate in business activities in their countries of origin in Latin America? While these issues pose certain challenges to the project of designating historically significant Latino business and commercial activities, finding ways to properly recognize those initiatives would promote a richer understanding of the role that Latinos have played in the history of American businesses and the economy. The establishment and growth of Latino businesses and commerce have reflected the expansion of the Latino population itself. Until the end of the 19th century, the vast majority of these activities took place between Mexicans and Americans of Mexican origin in the U.
Southwest, the area of the U. that, until after the U. S.-Mexican War (1846-1848), was part of Mexico. Other Latin American merchants did business during this period in other parts of the United States.
For the most part, their stay in these places was temporary and their businesses did not contribute to the formation, settlement, or progress of Latino communities. Rather, they were limited to trade and other commercial activities. Then, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, immigration from Latin America to other parts of the United States increased significantly due to economic opportunities created by industrialization. In addition, their exile from international conflicts, including independence movements in Latin America, the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), led to a wave of new businesses owned by Latinos. These included grocery stores, clothing stores and medical offices that provided services to these new communities. By the end of World War II (1939-1945), Latino business and commerce had spread across much of the United States.
While incorporation into broader social, political and economic patterns increased after World War II, most Latino businesses continued to serve mainly Latino communities. Then, starting in 1965 with passage of The Immigration and Nationality Act (also known as The Hart-Celler Act), followed by Cuban Revolution (1959) and violent anti-democratic repressions in Central and South American countries during 1970s and 1980s led to dramatic increase in number of Latinos living in United States. Most Latino companies continued to provide services to local Latino communities but others reached larger non-Latino communities in US as well. At end of 20th century thousands businesses opened by recent Latin American immigrants joined those opened by previous generations Latinos living in US. Their activities represented hemispheric and global reach Latino businesses during 21st century. The economies northern New Spain since its inception were business enterprise. Spanish mapped land exploited indigenous labor force made it productive also extracted minerals sent crown which also increased their own wealth.
From Florida California established missions ranches became extremely profitable missionaries soldiers ordinary citizens Spanish indigenous peoples raised livestock crops then sold their meat skins tallow grains vegetables both locally throughout empire. Among these men were first Latino businessmen. Spanish established cattle ranches early 16th century first near St John's River east Florida Gulf Mexico produced more than third Florida's cattle during 17th century Tomás Menéndez Márquez owned La Chua ranch extended thousands square miles St John's River east Florida Gulf Mexico produced more than third Florida's cattle during 17th century Márquez provided hides jerky tallow Spanish colonies Florida well Havana demonstrating how businesses commercial activities Latinos reached distant markets since their inception. Once Márquez established his livestock business also diversified into other commercial activities traveling boat Havana returning with goods sold local markets also exported goods Spain Europe demonstrating how far reach Latino businesses commerce extended even during colonial period. Once Márquez established his livestock business also diversified into other commercial activities traveling boat Havana returning with goods sold local markets also exported goods Spain Europe demonstrating how far reach Latino businesses commerce extended even during colonial period. The economies northern New Spain since its inception were business enterprise. Spanish established cattle ranches early 16th century first near St John's River east Florida Gulf Mexico produced more than third Florida's cattle during 17th century Tomás Menéndez Márquez owned La Chua ranch extended thousands square miles St John's River east Florida Gulf Mexico produced more than third Florida's cattle during 17th century Márquez provided hides jerky tallow Spanish colonies Florida well Havana demonstrating how businesses commercial activities Latinos reached distant markets since their inception. Once Márquez established his livestock business also diversified into other commercial activities traveling boat Havana returning with goods sold local markets also exported goods Spain Europe demonstrating how far reach Latino businesses commerce extended even during colonial period. The growth of Latino businesses has been an integral part of American history since its inception as a nation state. From early 16th century cattle ranches near St John's River east Florida Gulf Mexico to modern day enterprises reaching global markets - Latinos have been at forefront creating new opportunities for themselves as well as for others around them. The Immigration and Nationality Act (1965), Cuban Revolution (1959) and violent anti-democratic repressions in Central and South American countries during 1970s & 1980s led to dramatic increase in number of Latinos living in United States - resulting in thousands new businesses opened by recent Latin American immigrants joining those opened by previous generations Latinos living in US. These enterprises have been providing services to local communities as well as reaching larger non-Latino communities across US - representing hemispheric & global reach for Latino businesses during 21st century. Designating historically significant sites & recognizing initiatives taken by Latinos would promote richer understanding about role they have played in history & economy - while commemorating long history & recognizing importance & potentials for future growth.
