Power and Control in the Imperial Valley: Nature, Agribusiness, and Workers on the California Borderland, 1900-1940 Contributor(s): Andrés, Benny J. (Author) |
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ISBN: 162349463X ISBN-13: 9781623494636 Publisher: Texas A&M University Press OUR PRICE: $24.70 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: April 2016 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - History | United States - State & Local - West (ak, Ca, Co, Hi, Id, Mt, Nv, Ut, Wy) - Social Science | Agriculture & Food - History | United States - 20th Century |
Dewey: 979.4 |
Series: Connecting the Greater West |
Physical Information: 0.6" H x 6.2" W x 9.2" (0.80 lbs) 288 pages |
Themes: - Chronological Period - 20th Century |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: Power and Control in the Imperial Valley examines the evolution of irrigated farming in the Imperial-Mexicali Valley, an arid desert straddling the California-Baja California border. Bisected by the international boundary line, the valley drew American investors determined to harness the nearby Colorado River to irrigate a million acres on both sides of the border. The "conquest" of the environment was a central theme in the history of the valley. Colonization in the valley began with the construction of a sixty-mile aqueduct from the Colorado River in California through Mexico. Initially, Mexico held authority over water delivery until settlers persuaded Congress to construct the All-American Canal. Control over land and water formed the basis of commercial agriculture and in turn enabled growers to use the state to procure inexpensive, plentiful immigrant workers. |