Brazilian Construction and Engineering Projects During WWII Photograph Album
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Scope and Contents
This photographic album shows numerous construction sites in Brazil that include rail, tunnel, and other related projects. Approximately fifteen percent of the photo album is devoted to scenery and bird's-eye views of the sites, while the rest covers numerous construction projects and other engineering feats. Nearly all the photographs involve projects related to the firms of Raymond and Morris-Knudsen. Photographs contain detailed captions including dates, locations, and the work performed. Pictures include bridges being built, train wrecks, bogged equipment, and men using heavy equipment to cut tunnels into mountains and trenches at dam sites. Other shots show workyards and labor camps. At least thirty photos show local laborers working on various projects. The album includes bird's-eye views of various towns and cities near the construction sites, as well as ten images taken at Rio Doce, which involved a project with the firm Christiani and Nielsen--an entity that was blacklisted by the United States during World War II for alleged dealings with the Nazis.
The captions are detailed, giving the date, location, and work performed at Melhoramento, Pedro Nolasco, Alfredo Maia, Campestre, Port of Victoria, Monte Seco, Rio da Prata, Itanguá, Fundão, Relogio, Cuiaté River, and several other locales. Another ten photos depict the everyday lives of the nearby locals, including a large photo of a man driving a steer train in Cachoeira, and another in Conselheiro Pena, showing a child driving a train of six goats and two rams to haul wood.
The album also has many bird's-eye views of towns and cities, including two of Pedro Nolasco, Itueta, Lauro Miller, Rio Bubu, the Falls of Rio Doce, Rio Manhuassa, Colatina, and Vitória.
Dates
- Creation: 1944
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.
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Biographical / Historical
During the early part of the Second World War, Brazil had remained a neutral country, supporting both the Allied and Axis forces. Leading up to the war, Brazil had maintained a strong relationship with the United States. However, Brazil and Germany, leader of the Axis forces, had mutually profitable trade agreements with one another as well. This all changed after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In response to the attack, Brazil became one of the five South American nations to sever all diplomatic relations with Axis powers and aid the Allies in the war effort on January 28, 1942, during the Rio Conference. Subsequently, the United States struck an economic deal with Brazil, promising financial assistance and support for Brazil's infrastructure and development programs. This deal also permitted the construction of U.S. air and naval bases on the coasts of Brazil. In retaliation, the Axis powers engaged in large-scale naval and submarine missions to sink Brazilian merchant ships, causing Brazil to eventually declare war on August 22, 1942.
One of the primary construction and engineering firms that are showcased within the pictures in this photograph album were the Morris-Knudsen Company. This company started off as two companies that merged in 1912 in Boise, Idaho. The founders of the company, Harry Morrison and Morris Hans Knudsen, believed that their international company would help to build modern cities and infrastructure for the developing world.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The University of Alabama Libraries acquired the Brazilian Construction and Engineering Projects During WWII Photograph Album from Langdon Manor Books, Janurary 2025.
Condition Description
Materials are in good condition with no noticable preservation issues, tears, or fades. Some minor bends around the corners of the pages that the photographs are taped to.
Processing Information
Processed by Donovan Balderama, February 2025.
- Title
- Guide to the Brazilian Construction and Engineering Projects During WWII Photograph Album
- Author
- Finding aid created by Donovan Balderama, February 2025.
- Date
- February 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository