South America and the War

This concise volume grew out of a series of 1918 lectures delivered at King’s College, London, and offers a rapid yet insightful look at how German commercial interests tried to maintain—and even expand—their foothold in Latin America while the world was at war. Drawing on diplomatic reports, contemporary newspapers and trade statistics, the author reveals the strategies and resources Germany deployed to influence markets and politics across the continent. The first three chapters map these covert economic moves, showing why they mattered to Britain and its allies at a critical moment.

Turning to the wider picture, the later sections explore how the global conflict reshaped the economies and international standing of the twenty Latin‑American republics. The analysis links wartime disruptions to longer‑term shifts in trade patterns, foreign investment and political alignment, highlighting both opportunities and challenges that emerged for the region. Readers gain a clear sense of how the war acted as a catalyst for change in societies long defined by their Iberian heritage.

By blending detailed case studies with broader historical context, the book provides a valuable snapshot of a pivotal year when South America’s future was being renegotiated on the world stage. Its careful balance of data and narrative makes it an accessible guide for anyone interested in the economic and diplomatic currents that shaped the early twentieth‑century Americas.