Why Did Luxembourgers Migrate to Argentina?

Starting in the mid-1850s, Argentina set out to attract European agricultural workers to immigrate to the country. Motivated by relative economic hardship in their own country or just seeking a new start, some 500 Luxembourgers would answer their call.

Image: Farmers in Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina, 1890 – “Santa Fe entre dos siglos“

Due to difficult living conditions during the 19th century, huge numbers of Luxembourgers would decide to leave the Grand Duchy for good. At the time, Argentina had a booming economy and a strong need for workers to cultivate its nearly unlimited swathes of arable land. Hundreds of Luxembourgers immigrated to Argentina during the period known as the “Great European Immigration“.

Argentina’s Great European Immigration primarily took place from the 1850s to early 1900s, during which time Argentina’s population nearly quadrupled in size. Luxembourgers were drawn to the nation’s open immigration policies and agricultural opportunities.

Off to Esperanza – The Earliest 🇱🇺🇦🇷 Migrants

Accompanied by Swiss, German, French, Italian, and Belgian immigrants, Luxembourgish families held an important role in establishing Esperanza. At the time, Esperanza was Argentina’s first formally organized agricultural colony. Even today it is still considered one of Argentina’s most successful organized immigration efforts.

In early 1856, 200 European families made their way to Argentina’s Santa Fe Province as a part of the agro-colonialization project organized between the government of Santa Fe, and spearheaded by Argentine military commander Aarón Castellanos. The (soon to be) immigrants signed “Agricultural Colonization Contracts” before ever touching down on Argentine soil.

In these contracts, the Luxembourgish immigrants were promised housing, land, livestock, and seeds upon their arrival in Esperanza, as well as free transportation to the colony. Unlike in the United States, in Argentina, the Luxembourgish immigrants would need to buy their own property, which they were able to pay off using the same crops that they came over to farm.

Esperanza’s plaza (front) and municipal building (back), 1885 – “Santa Fe entre dos siglos“

“Argentine Fever” – The Peak of Argentine Immigration

The second and largest wave of Luxembourgish immigration took place from 1888 to 1891. This three year period was widely recognized as “Argentine Fever”.

Family picnic in Argentina’s Santa Fe Province, 1910 – “Santa Fe entre dos siglos“

In the late 1880s, “Argentinienfieber” swept through Luxembourg, promoting Argentina’s location in the Americas, its thriving economy, and the welcoming attitude towards rural farmers without modern farming techniques or professional qualifications.

Luxembourgish immigrants of that era were primarily attracted to the idea of “mass immigration.” While some still went to Argentina individually, the idea of establishing Luxembourgish or Germanic communities was appealing, as it reduced the challenges of adapting to a new country with unfamiliar language, culture, and landscape.

Most Luxembourgers initially settled in the Buenos Aires and Entre Rios provinces during this period.

Not What We Signed Up For – Immigration to San Antonio de Iraola

25% of the Luxembourgish ancestors included in our study served as founding members of the San Antonio de Iraola colony. Unfortunately, these immigrants ended up in a difficult situation, and had to relocate within years of their arrival.

News of fertile land and quick land ownership in San Antonio de Iraola Colony spread rapidly in Luxembourg, endorsed by the Luxembourger Wort and the bishop at the time. The project was overseen by a Luxembourgish priest, Jean-Pierre Didier, boosting confidence.

However, upon arrival, Luxembourgish settlers in San Antonio de Iraola encountered infertile land, incomplete housing, disease, and an oppressive loan system by the colony’s private landowner. Despite signing up for a 6-year labor contract, the colony dissolved prematurely.

Due to its private ownership, there are limited records about the colony’s dissolution. Many Luxembourgers returned home, while others migrated to Brazil, the United States, or different parts of Argentina.

Image: “San Antonio frente a la laguna” – FAMÍLIA PIERRET

It Was Good While it Lasted – The Slowing of Immigration to Argentina

While Argentina’s 6.6 million European immigrants helped to shape and rapidly grow Argentina’s economy, new complications caused immigration to slow in the early 20th century.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1940 – “Geografía de América” by Josefina Passadori

Higher pay in Buenos Aires led many families to move to the city in search for work. As poverty and unemployment rates quickly rose as a result, crime rates rose and clashes between the immigrants and Argentine government became more and more common.

Argentina’s political elite began speaking poorly of “unrestricted European immigration”, and immigration policies tightened down shortly after. The start of World War I also complicated the trip for many Luxembourgers and other Europeans alike.

About Their Migration Patterns

The majority of Luxembourgers arrived in Argentina during the “Argentine Fever” period from 1888 to 1891. When comparing general migration trends to the United States and Brazil, this is the most recent mass migration from Luxembourg to the Americas.

* These numbers are distorted in favor of men due to the Article 7 citizenship procedure, which almost exclusively necessitates a male ancestor.