The wagon drivers and the origin of the bourgeoisie in the Southern Cone (Mendoza, XVIII century)

Abstract

This paper deepens the study on the wagon and wagon drivers as socioeconomic actors. The aims of the present work is to determine their contribution to the process of building of an entrepreneurial culture in colonial America South Cone. It focuses on the wagon drivers’ social mobility, entrepreneurial risks, credit networks, circulation of ideas, and the rise of a capitalistic ethos. This article is the conclusion of the previous paper “Wagon and Atlantic-Pacific terrestrial transportation: the Buenos Aires-Mendoza route, in 18th century” (Estudos Ibero-Americanos, vol. XXXI, n. 1, 2005).