Juan Perón, the Argentinian President for
whom the Peronist movement is named, had his diplomatic beginning as a
nationalist army official as secretary of labor. While serving as secretary of
labor he won influence over Argentinian workers. His greatest political
resource was his charismatic wife, Eva "Evita" Peron, but she died in
1952, signaling the collapse of the national coalition that had backed him. Having
antagonized the church, students, and others, he was removed from power and
forced into exile and settled in Spain, where he served as leader-in-exile to
the "Peronists"--a powerful faction of Argentines who remained loyal
to him and his system.
Perón
success came in great part from his wife Eva Duarte -or as she was known to the
millions of Argentinians who adores her, Evita- who was a glamorous actress of
radio soap operas when they first met. Evita was born poor and had come to
Buenos Aires from “the sticks”- or beyond the outskirt of town- around the same
time as many other Peronist workers. Due to her background she believed that she
understood the workers and would say to them “I’m one of you. And I haven’t
forgotten you. My glory is yours, too.” She was the founder of the Social Aid
Foundation in which she handed out charity personally to whoever needed it. She
was able to help Perón win the vote of the Argentinean women in 1947 and was an
advocate for equal pay and equal work.
Like
very few historical leaders Perón did have some accomplishments that helped his
government be one of the most progressive in Latin American history in the 20th
century. Some of his accomplishments include: the formation of trade unions for
every industry, free education for those who qualified, and all workers were
granted free medical care and half of their vacation-trip expenses. In addition he also created the Argentina Institute for Promotion of Exchange
(AIPE), in order to monopolize the handle of all commodity exports and
strengthen Argentina’s economy. During Perón’s time as President, nationalism
guided his economics and the United States didn’t agree with this. The Peronist
government tried to end any and all forms of foreign ownership in Argentina.
One of their biggest purchases was made with Great Brittan when they bought the
extensive railway system.
In
July 1952, Evita died of cancer, and the support that Perón received from the
working classes became lost. Towards the end of his Presidency he attempted to
force the separation of church and state and met with considerable controversy.
He was excommunicated by church leaders in June 1995, and encouraged military
officers to plot the overthrow of Perón. On September 19, 1955, the army and
navy revolted, and Peron was forced to flee to Paraguay. In 1960, he settled in
Spain. In 1973, he was able to return to Argentina and once again be President
with his current wife as Vice-President, she was not popular among the millions
of people that adored Evita. When he died on July 1, 1974, his wife became
president of a nation suffering from inflation, political violence, and labor unrest.
Sources
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