Historical connections between South America and the UK

In an intimate roundtable, Shafik Meghji, author of Small Earthquakes, and Laurence Blair, author of Patria, discussed their works and reflected upon the UK-Latin America relationship.

Shafik’s book Small Earthquakes is a direct product of that relationship. The author explained that his book is a long-term product of a struggle to gain more recognition for Latin America in the UK. Initially, he was struck by the connections to the region within his native South London. He points to the effects of John Thomas North, the Nitrate King, who made his fortune in Chile in the nineteenth century. North used his wealth to build a glasshouse that remains standing in Avery Park, South East London.

Once Shafik started digging into this connection, he found a wealth of historical links between South America and the UK. Although the UK public remains broadly disengaged, there are places in South America that echo this bond. Robert Fitzroy looms large in the collective memory of Tierra del Fuego, Chile, for the HMS Beagle Captain’s role in the survey of this area. Of course, his more famous shipmate Charles Darwin’s exploits in the Galapagos, part of modern-day Ecuador, are well known. For Shafik, this book is an attempt to celebrate and dissect the long-standing bridges between the UK and South America, an ambition that directly aligns with Canning House’s work.

Laurence Blair’s book, Patria, focuses on the lost states of South America. The discussion moved chronologically, first investigating the Pre-Columbine history of South America. Laurence detailed the complexity and scale of the Chincha empire, which rivalled Inca power in Peru. Laurence’s book attempts to unearth often untold aspects of South American history. He stressed the importance of the Mapuche people in the independence movement of Chile, and the friendship pact signed with the Republic that recognises that fact.

Another fascinating element of the independence story is the British view of the conflict. Laurence described the realisation amongst the British establishment that a force marched from Argentina, through the Andes to Chile could dismantle Spanish power in the region. This plan contains a striking resemblance to the route that San Martín eventually took in his conflict with the Spanish Empire. Laurence closed by reflecting on the enduring impact of historical oddities such as the loss of Bolivia’s coastline, which means the modern Bolivian Navy lacks a sea on which to sail.

Following the presentation, the assembled guests discussed the multifaceted historical connections between the UK and South America from Welsh tea in Patagonia to Lord Cochrane’s involvement in the Chilean and Brazilian navies. The night was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the enduring connections between the UK and Latin America.

To find out more about these books, use the buttons below.

Small Earthquakes Patria