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Meridional. Chilean Journal of Latin American Studies is pleased to invite you to participate in the dossier “Relevance of Latin American Marxism: Thinking from, with, and beyond Michael Löwy’s work”, which consists in our 21st volume, to be published in October 2023. 

Reflections on naval warfare in the first half of the 19th century. Incorporation of steam technology and its scope in Europe and Latin America

Authors

Abstract

The development of naval warfare underwent a strong transformation at the beginning of the 19th century. This was due to the introduction of a new technology that allowed warships to stop being dependent on wind and ocean currents for their propulsion. The steam engine was a radical complement, which managed to eliminate many of the obstacles that limited navigation. This determined a change in the strategy of naval warfare, which led to the war fleets of the 19th Century having a decisive value in modern conflicts. Although this transformation occurred in the great powers, it also affected the nascent Latin American states that were beginning to build their navies.

Keywords:

war, Navy, technology, steamship, Latin America