A New Australia in Paraguay - Part 5

A New Australia in Paraguay - Part 5

Author: Max Serjeant September 14, 2025 Duration: 21:33

In the final episode of the series we trace the protracted decline of utopia. Split into rival settlements, the inhabitants will gradually abandon their communal ethos. Meanwhile, legal and financial problems in Australia will further undermine the project and its ideals. Finally, we look at what happened afterwards - William Lane's strange political U-turn, the scattered countries where New Australians ended up, and the lives of the descendants of those who remain in Paraguay to this day.



Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hosted by Max Serjeant, The Latin American History Podcast is a deep and chronological journey through the entire story of Spanish and Portuguese America. This isn't a simple list of dates and battles; it's an immersive exploration of the forces that shaped a continent. The narrative stretches from ancient civilisations and first contacts through the tumultuous colonial era, right up to the modern day, weaving together the vast themes of conquest, resistance, and cultural fusion. Within this framework, the podcast dedicates serious attention to the structures of colonial society, the brutal institution of slavery, and the daily realities experienced by the region's diverse inhabitants. You'll encounter tales of extraordinary adventure and exploration that challenge belief, all grounded in thoughtful examination. Each episode builds a comprehensive picture, connecting the dots between geography, science, culture, and social change. For anyone curious about how the past echoes in the present streets, landscapes, and cultures of Latin America, this podcast offers a compelling, long-form audio history. It’s an ongoing project to understand a world forged from incredible complexity.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

The Latin American History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
West Indian Central America - Part 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:59
In the final episode in this series we look at the legacy of the migrations from the British West Indies to Central America. We look at how many people stayed in Panama and why, as well as what life was like for them onc…
West Indian Central America - Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:18
Once the French canal project had collapsed, it was time for the Americans to step in. This meant the final wave of migration from the West Indies, but this time the experience of the work would be very different. In thi…
West Indian Central America - Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:41
Today we look at the next two waves of West Indian migration to Central America. The end point of the first was Costa Rica, where a new industry was emerging. The second was back in Panama and it was inspired by the firs…
West Indian Central America - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:54
Today we look at the first wave of migration from the West Indies to Central America. Instigated by the construction of railway, this arduous work saw extremely high death rates among the imported labour force, and a col…
West Indian Central America - Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:18
Today we start a new series looking at the wave of migration that saw people from the English speaking Caribbean moving to Central America 100-150 years ago. Many parts of the coastline of Costa Rica and Panama still hav…
A New Australia in Paraguay - Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:49
Today's episode covers the moment when the New Australia project cracked and splintered into separate settlements. We look at the reasons for this split, and how it manifested itself. Support this podcast at — https://re…
A New Australia in Paraguay - Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:07
The third part of the story of New Australia is marked by conflict. In this episode the divisions within the colonists deepen, and lead to open revolt against Lane's leadership, and even instances of physical violence. C…
A New Australia in Paraguay - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:27
In part two of the series the idealistic Australians travel to South America and up the River Plate to the land on which they will found their utopia. Then, they begin the actual work of building it. While this was all d…
A New Australia in Paraguay - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:28
At the end of the 1800s a group of Utopianist Australians decided to set off to build a worker's paradise in the remote Paraguayan hinterlands. It didn't quite go to plan, but their story is one of those bizarre and unex…