Migration and students at the University of San Marcos, Peru (1900-1930)

Abstract

The dawn of the twentieth century in Peru witnessed significant economic and social transformations, particularly impacting the capital. The mobili­zation of the displaced middle classes gained momentum through access to specific public institutions, with the university playing a pivotal role. Against this backdrop, youths from the provinces were drawn to migrate and enroll in the Universidad Mayor de Lima, aspiring to either maintain or improve their social standing. Drawing upon the material contributions and records of stu­dent mobilizations that form the focal point of university life in the Peruvian capital, we conducted an exploration into the daily lives of students hailing from the provinces at the University of San Marcos. Our study delves into the preservation of social customs for some and the disruption of the established order for others.