La migración asistida de italianos hacia Chile: una lectura desde las teorías migratorias

Abstract

The present article addresses the process of assisted migration for agricultural purposes from Italy to Chile after World War II. Through the reconstruction of the history of three colonies (located in La Serena, Coquimbo, and Parral) and the analysis of a set of interviews conducted with settlers, it proposes an examination based on migration theories, identifying the “macro” factors that shaped these experiences of human mobility, as well as the “micro” elements that played a role in individual migration decisions. It is concluded that structural factors such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to land were fundamental in generating the political will to implement assisted migration. Additionally, individual and family motivations were driven not only by economic reasons but also by the desire to improve their overall quality of life.