Poo Power! How Bird Droppings Shaped Empires

https://www.ihadnoclue.com/article/1065903839980748801

The 19th-century guano rush, driven by the demand for bird droppings as a potent fertilizer, significantly influenced international relations, territorial expansion, and agricultural practices. Guano, an avian excrement, was highly valued due to its high nitrogen content, making it an effective fertilizer and sparking a global resource rush. This rush led to the passage of the Guano Islands Act by the U.S. Congress in 1856, which authorized American citizens to claim ownership of unclaimed islands containing guano deposits. This legislation influenced later colonial endeavors and established a pattern of resource-driven expansion. The immense value of guano also triggered international conflicts, like the Chincha Islands War, and reshaped global shipping patterns. Despite the development of synthetic fertilizers leading to the decline of the guano boom, its legacy persists in the territorial maps of nations and the legal frameworks of international claims. The guano story offers valuable lessons about resource dependency, sustainable management practices, and the transformative potential of overlooked substances.