Clearing Trees at Fordlandia Rubber Plantation, 1933

Summary

Henry Ford established Fordlandia and Belterra in the Brazilian rainforest to supply rubber for automobile production. He began shipping machinery and supplies to the Amazon in 1928. Ford paid the indigenous workers good wages and supplied various amenities -- he also imposed foreign work traditions and behavioral restrictions which the workers resented. The plantations failed and Ford Motor Company disposed of the project in 1945.

Henry Ford established Fordlandia and Belterra in the Brazilian rainforest to supply rubber for automobile production. He began shipping machinery and supplies to the Amazon in 1928. Ford paid the indigenous workers good wages and supplied various amenities -- he also imposed foreign work traditions and behavioral restrictions which the workers resented. The plantations failed and Ford Motor Company disposed of the project in 1945.

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

28 August 1933

Subject Date

28 August 1933

Creators

Unknown

Collection Title

James R. Weir Papers 

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

80.300.1514.P.29

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 4.75 in

Width: 6.438 in

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