Economic problems
Great Depression in 1930s Argentinas income depended
largely on exportations from the sale of manufactures and
food products
Fall of over 40% of exports
Foreign investments fell dramatically Reduced countrys
income leading to mounting deficit and increasing inflation
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Argentinian nationalists Wanted country to move towards
autarky
Self-sufficient economy to end dependence on other
countrys trade cycles
Allow Argentina to modernize at its own pace
Response to general uncertainties of national economy
Reaction against Britains dominance in its trade
relation with Argentina
Growing discontent
Migration of disposed land workers to cities Joined factory
workers who lost their jobs in the Depression
Government bought unsellable produce to keep landowners
wealth
Used force to contain disorder
Estancieros Gov. appealed to them to accept higher
levels of taxation and providing funds of their own resources
They decided not to cooperate
Led to protests from workers for putting their interests
before the ones of the nation
The GOU
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Secret society
Juan D. Peron was a founding member
Young officers from middle, lower-class families
Anti communists
Ultra catholic
Ultra nationalist
Claimed they came to end corruption and fraud Restore
Argentine constitution
Argentina should develop its national industry and strengthen
its defenses
Fearful of communism Better to introduce improvements in
living and working conditions
International Resisted US pressure, wanted to remain
neutral
Rise to Power
Peron: Secretary of Labour and Welfare
Great migration to cities
Severe problems in housing and very poor living
conditions
Lack of jobs
Slums developed, little social assistance
Trade unions not prepared to absorb rural workers
Rural workers felt needs and wants were not met
THEY COULD VOTE
Military coup of 1943 placed Peron in Labour
department
He then unified different welfare agencies and putting them
under his own control he made an efficient Secretariat
1943-1945 Achieved more for the workers than the unions
had achieved since the 1930s
He not allowed the workers to be attracted by the left-wing
political parties
Peron listened to them
Improvement in labour legislation
Regulations against arbitrary job dismissal
The right to paid holidays for workers
Retirement benefits for workers
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Etc.
Fulfilled the demands of the unions Traditional left-wing
parties, claiming to represent workers interest, lost appeal
The way Peron was associated to all these new rights
Working class from potential threat to supporters
1944, San Juan earthquake Peron led, organized and
attended fundraising campaigns to assist victims. He met Eva
here
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Political Sovereignty
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Events of 17 October
Peron did not appease the opposition Get his followers to
oppose the measure
October 12 Civilian protest Power from military to Supreme
Court of Justice
Armed forced demanded arrest of Peron Sent to an island
CGT announces general strike for 18 October No specific
reference to Peron, only to labour legislation
17 October thousands of workers abandon their posts and
began to march in Perons name
Moved towards more residential places in Bs. As.
Lower classes emerged
Government ordered release of Peron Gave a speech in
Plaza de Mayo
Sealed his relationship with the workers
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Peron owed the CGT and labour party
Did not have full support of army
Dissolves all supporting forces and creates Partido Unico de
la Revolucion
Some opposition of leaders of Labour Party Peron removed
them, some tortured and arrested
Peron appointed supporters to positions of power
Unions
Ordered all trade unions to become official members of
CGT
Opposition was persecuted and imprisoned
Emphasized on benefits: Greater freedom of workers to
negotiate, state protection of workers against
employers
Higher wages
Improved working conditions
By 1948, Peron had consolidated his leadership over
the party and the trade unions had been united under
the CGT
Peron created a secret police to take care of opposition
Political Policies
State grew in size and influence Became very difficult for
opposition to influence
Radical party struggled to overcome UCJCR created by Peron
1946
Opposition Limited access to media and press,
struggled to meet
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Mostly composed by experienced politicians
Some radical leaders who voiced their anti-Peronist
ideas were expelled from the legislative body and even
jailed
New judges were appointed and the Court was Peronized
Secretariat of Information established aim to control
output of journalists
Socialist newspaper La Vanguardia
National newspapers La Nacion and La Prensa
Government bought newspapers, magazines and radio station
to use for propaganda
Civil servants had to become members of Peronist party to
keep their jobs
Parliamentary elections 1948 Won with 62%
Social Policies
Aimed to redressing existing gaps between rich and poor
Independent charitable institutions + trade unions
channeled social work to reach where the state didnt offer
solutions
Peron wanted to centralize social policies and aims Trade
Unions didnt want to lose control of the money
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This
Economic policies
Wanted to turn Argentina into socially and economically selfsufficient nation
The First Five Year Plan (1946-51)
Large proportion of national income distributed amongst
workers Real income rose over 1/3
Social Welfare programme Included the provision of
medical services and unemployment and sickness benefits
Levies imposed on Argentinas main exports
Institute for the Promotion of Argentine Commerce
(IAPI) Bought grain in bulk
Foreign-owned enterprises (railways, telephone system, etc)
nationalized
Restrict imports to promote domestic consumption and
production
Schemes adopted for improvement of Argentine infrastructure
Peron declined to join GATT + IMF
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1943-45
As minister of labour, Peron creates Department of
womens labour
1944
Minimum wage was introduced for piece-work done at
home
1947
Franchise was extended to women
Measures adopted to improve the rights of girls and
women in secondary + higher education
Steps taken to ensure better conditions for female
workers
1949
Females made up to 46% of workforce
Equal pay granted to female textile workers
1950
Number of women in university doubled in six years
1951
Women vote for first time 65% supported Peron
24 women in congress and 7 in senate