Immigration
by Emma Lee Miller
During the 19th century, many Europeans immigrated into Guatemala; namely Germans and Italians. Despite immigrant statuses, some were able to be in positions of power. For example, it is estimated that 5,000 of the Germans who lived there were managers of the many coffee plantations during the 1800s.
Italians also held great influence in Guatemala. It can still be seen in the architecture of some of the buildings, such as the National Palace of Guatemala, the arch of Quetzaltenango, as well as multiple of the Catholic churches.
There are three notable waves of Italian immigration that occurred; the first from 1873-1875, when the President Justo Rufino Barrios visited Italy and encouraged many to move from there to Guatemala, namely farmers. The second was between 1892-1898, now led by the President José María Reyna Barrios, when he visited, now bringing back engineers. The third wave was under the President Manuel Estrada Cabrera, who wanted to mimic his predecessors. The third wave brought in the most immigrants, as at the moment, it was a dictatorship. This immigration is easily noticeable today, as Italians make up the 3rd largest European community in Guatemala.
Italians also held great influence in Guatemala. It can still be seen in the architecture of some of the buildings, such as the National Palace of Guatemala, the arch of Quetzaltenango, as well as multiple of the Catholic churches.
There are three notable waves of Italian immigration that occurred; the first from 1873-1875, when the President Justo Rufino Barrios visited Italy and encouraged many to move from there to Guatemala, namely farmers. The second was between 1892-1898, now led by the President José María Reyna Barrios, when he visited, now bringing back engineers. The third wave was under the President Manuel Estrada Cabrera, who wanted to mimic his predecessors. The third wave brought in the most immigrants, as at the moment, it was a dictatorship. This immigration is easily noticeable today, as Italians make up the 3rd largest European community in Guatemala.