EXPANSION OF THE TELEGRAPH NETWORK IN SANTA CATARINA: REGIONAL SYSTEM OF ECONOMY AND STATE DENSITY IN THE TERRITORY OF SANTA CATARINA

Abstract

The aim of this article is to describe the expansion of the telegraph network
in Santa Catarina between 1866 and 1930 focusing on the analysis of the regional economic system and the consolidation of the State in the territory. The assumption is that
transport and communications are constitutive units of the territory and are directly
linked to the actions of the State through multiple strategies and interests. In addition
to the final considerations, the text is divided into four topics. The first discusses the
relationship between territory and communications highlighting theoretical and methodological aspects that will guide the article. The second topic addresses the formation of the regional system of economics to communications. In the next topic, we have a trajectory of the telegraphs in the world and in Brazil and comprehensive data of the
General Office of Telegraphs. Finally, the last topic discussed is the trajectory of the expansion of the telegraph network in Santa Catarina as one of the determining factors in
the occupation, definition and construction of the territory. This topic is subdivided into
three periods: 1866 to 1900 (installation and beginning of interiorization); 1900 to 1918
(network expansion and integration); and 1918 to 1930 (formation of the system and
new communications services). The final considerations are about the future of post-
1930 telegraphy in the face of technological advances in communications.