Venezuela - a history of the oil industry 1830 - 2009

Viac o knihe

During the 1830s, Italian scientist Agustin Codazzi and others sought to attract new settlers to Venezuela, which had been left under-populated after the War for Independence. Notably, 300 settlers from Southern Germany contributed to this effort. This situation contrasts sharply with the 1950s, when Venezuela, buoyed by its vast oil resources, appeared as a paradise in Latin America. The oil boom allowed the Venezuelan Government to profit significantly and, starting in the 1930s, to welcome European immigrants. This influx led to the emergence of a solid middle class, transforming the social structure into a modern society reflective of 20th-century values. This transformation represents a pivotal revolution in Venezuela's socio-cultural and political development. Supporting the views of Venezuelan intellectual Arturo Uslar Pietri, this research posits that oil served as a catalyst for profound social, cultural, and political changes, alongside significant economic transformation. Former German President Roman Herzog remarked that Venezuela should not be seen as a developing nation but rather as a potential economic power in the international community, with the oil industry playing a crucial role since 1922.