Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gringos and Criollos
Massive immigration in this traditional postcolonial society deepened
the distinction between natives and Europeans. Immigrants came to
be known as
gringos,
a term that meant “foreigner,” “newcomer,” or
“greenhorn.” While the elite grew wealthy and distant, massive immi-
gration spawned the development of a skilled working class and a white
middle class that further marginalized the native-born workers. In fact,
the meaning of the term
criollo
had already begun to change. In the
colonial period, a Creole was an Argentine-born Spaniard. At the end
of the 19th century,
criollo
came to denote the Argentine-born working
class of mixed racial background.
Creoles were swarthy in skin color due to their indigenous, African,
and European heritage, while immigrants were white. In addition to racial
differences, culture and language often divided gringos and criollos. So
criollos and gringos continued to be separate and unequal—and mutually
hostile. Politicians exploited this animosity to maintain social control,
alternately balancing the interests of immigrants and natives so that both
The term
criollo
came to refer to a specific class of mixed-race native-born workers. Shown
here is a group of rural criollos in the 20th century.
(Patricia Harris Postcard Collection, Benson
Latin American Collection, University of Texas at Austin)
