The modernizing effect of the stay in North America on valencian emigration

Abstract

In 1906, the first expedition of Valencian laborers arrived in Montreal—ten men from Orba who traveled, fed up with the mistreatment by the landowners who dominated the region of La Marina and its surroundings, as well as the widespread poverty and abuses produced by the system. At the same time, they were left unemployed by the advance of phylloxera, which was devastating the vineyards. This massive migratory wave led many Valencians to traditional destinations such as Algeria, Cuba, and Argentina, but now also to North America. Following the Ten from Orba our research estimated that 15,768 Valencian emigrants arrived in Canada and the United States until 1920, when Washington closed its borders to Mediterranean peoples. The sudden success of North America as a destination stemmed from an unthinkable wage disparity. Those who worked and lived for extended periods in New York or Connecticut experienced a radical shift in worldview, mentality, and way of life. Upon their return, they were different people —more open-minded, liberated from ancestral fears and prejudices. Many became mayors during the Spanish Republic and symbols of modernity in their hometowns. They also raised their children with a more egalitarian mindset, encouraging them to pursue higher education and professional careers.