Juan Peron of Argentina
1946-1952, 1973-1974
Background: Argentina
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Located in the south of South America
First trace of humans goes back to 11000 BC
Incas lived there under the rule of King Pachautec
In 1516, Europeans landed on the shores of the Buenos
Aires colony
From 1806-1807, the British launched two invasions on the
colony
2 nations formed out of Argentina: The United Provinces of
South America and the Liga Federal
An official Constitution was written in 1853
1870-the beginning of modern agriculture and a new society
and economy
1911-First free elections occurred, resulting in a president
for the working class
Neutral in WWII
Background: Juan Peron
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Born in Lobos, Argentina, on October 8, 1895
Was brought up strictly Catholic
Peron entered military school at age 16
Married his first wife Aurelia Tizon in 1929, but she died
of cancer nine years later
• In 1938, he was sent as a military observer to Italy,
France, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Albania, and
Yugoslavia
• These visits familiarized Peron with Mussolini's
government, along with other European governments at
the time
Origins of the Single-Party State
• June 1943-there was a coup d'etat against the Conservative
President by the GOU (United Officer's Group)
• Peron, as a colonel, had a large role in the coup d'etat as part of the
Labor Union. This increased his power in the military government
• After the coup, labor laws long desired by the working class were
promoted, and the Department of Labor became a major
component of the government
• Peron used celebrities and public figures to fundraise for the new
government, gaining him strong public approval
• New President Ramirez suspended Spain's alliance with the Axis
Powers, but he soon loses his seat
• Peron was friendly with the new President Farrell, who appointed
him Vice President/Secretary of War
• Peron was forced to resign and was arrested by opponents after
giving an anti-conservative speech
• Mass demonstrations by the people regained him his freedom, and
more support than ever
Establishment of the Single-Party State
• Juan Peron gained support after an earthquake in San Juan
that killed thousands of people. He became part of the relief
effort and large amounts of money from celebrities and other
fundraising.
• Peron was promoted to Vice President and Secretary of War
when President Ramirez was unseated.
• Peron gave a speech on September 18, 1945
that solidified his opponents dislike of him, and led to his
resignation on October 9th. He was arrested October 13th,
but released with the help of The General Confederation of
Labor. The GCT helped Peron gain support for the
presidential elections.
• He gained support through his wife's connection with labor
groups.
• He became president of Argentina on June 4, 1946.
Rule of Single-Party States
Political, Economic, and Social Policies
• During his two reigns, Juan Peron followed his political
movement of peronism. The goal behind peronism was to
create social equality for all people of Argentina. There was
only one class: the working class. The people were to work
to better the community.
• Juan Peron wanted social justice and econmic
independence.
• He tried to achieve economic independence through a five
year plan, that would increase the workers pay and improve
industrialization by 40%.
• Peron used heavy taxes for the rich, and lowered the poor
and working class tax.
• The lack of involvement in WWII helped Argentina decrease
much of its debt.
Education, Arts, Media, and
Propaganda
• Juan Peron's first wife Eva, created a foundation to help
develop more schools and scholarships.
• To keep support of Peron, the
Peronism doctrine was integrated into the education
system. Textbooks and other teaching material portrayed
the importance of a Peronist Argentina.
• Policies of Juan Peron, like the Five Year Plan, were revered
within the literature and lesson plans in the educational
system.
• Teachers against Peronism were fired and Education
became heavily regulated by the government.
Women's Rights
• Peron's wife, Eva, heavily supported social equality.
• She created the Female Peronist Party, that supported both
equal rights for women and the Peronist Ideals.
• In 1947, Women's suffrage was passed in Argentina.
• Eva did not want women's rights to be gained as a
competition with men, as seen in Europe. She thought
women needed to reach their potential and find there place
in the world.
• Eva tried to make sure women were informed about political
and economic poltics to ensure the health of the family.
Foreign Relations
-Policy from 1949 onwards was "The Third Way," neither supporting
The U.S. or The Soviet Union completely, but remaining on friendly
terms with both
-Succeeded in annoying both United States and Soviet Union, but on
the whole was effective
-Defied U.S. and re-opened trade with Cuba
-Economic independence a major goal
-Re-established diplomatic relations with the USSR for the first time
since the Bolshevik Revolution
-Relations with U.S. went downhill despite ratification of Truman's Rio
Pact and Peron's proposal to send troops to Korea
-Refused to accept large foreign loans, did not join IMF
-During third term defied U.S. and re-opened trade with Cuba
Why did the people of your country
support/embrace the ruler?
-Eva Peron was extremely popular with Women's Rights groups and
the labor movement, and by extension so was Juan
-Passed labor reforms that had been called for for many years
-Working class real wages increased significantly, working conditions
improved dramatically including much more numerous benefits
-Strengthened and encouraged unions
-Improved economy, if briefly
-Bought infrastructure from foreign companies and reduced debt
-Rate of residential construction was one of the highest in the world
-Established the ministry of health, opened 4,200 clinics
-Invested very heavily in social programs, such as 9,000 new schools
How did the ruler of your country
maintain power?
• Juan Peron fired any opposing people with
significant influence on the population (i.e.
teachers, authors, etc.)
• Peron limited the Media's image, and kept
followers through education and propaganda.
• Juan Peron would use military force when
necessary, but he preferred to use less violence.