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Revision as of 13:03, 21 February 2002 by 62.253.64.7 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Juan Domingo Perón (October 8, 1895 - July 1, 1974) was an Argentine soldier and President of Argentina 1946-55 and 1973-74.
Born in Lobos, Buenos Aires province, he entered the Military School aged 16 and following graduation he made good progress through the ranks. He served in Italy during the late 1930s as a military observer.
In June 1943 as a colonel, he was a significant figure in the military coup by the GOU (United Officers' Group) against the civilian government of Ramón S. Castillo. Initially under-secretary for war under Gen. Pedro Ramírez before becoming secretary of labour and welfare (November 1943) and then vice-president under Gen. Edelmiro Farrell (February 1944).
Forced into resignation by opponents within the armed forces on October 9, 1945, Perón was arrested shortly afterward, but mass demonstrations organised by the CGT trade union federation forced his release (October 17), and popular support gained him the presidency with 56% of the vote in the February 1946 elections.
Despite his alleged fascist trappings Perón pursued social policies aimed at empowering the working class. He greatly expanded the number of unionized workers, and helped establish the powerful General Confederation of Labor (CGT). He called this the "third position", between capitalism and communism, although he was strongly anti-United States and anti-British. Perón also pushed hard to industrialize the country, in 1947 he announced the first five-year plan to boost newly nationalized industries.
Perón's new wife, Eva Duarte de Peron (1919-July 26,1952; married Perón on December 9, 1945), was hugely popular. Known as Evita, she helped her husband develop support with labour and women's groups. Perón won re-election in 1951, but economic problems and high levels of corruption led to army-navy coup that deposed him in September 1955. He went into exile in Paraguay, eventually settling in Madrid. He married Isabel Martinez de Peron in 1961.
In Argentina the 1950s and 1960s were marked by frequent changes of government and low economic growth and continued social and labor demands. When the governments failed to revive the economy and suppress escalating terrorism from groups like the pro-Perón Montoneros in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the way was open for Perón's return. General Alexander Lanusse had taken power in March 1971 and had declared his intention to restore constitutional democracy by 1973. From exile Perón supported left-wing Peronists and the more active unions.
On March 11, 1973, Argentina held general elections. Although Perón was prevented from running, voters elected his stand-in, Hector Campora, as President. Campora resigned in July 1973, paving the way for new elections. Perón won a decisive victory and returned as President in October 1973 with his wife as Vice President.
However his regime was disrupted by conflict between his leftist and rightist supporters as Perón became more right-wing, there was a high level of terrorist acts. The government resorted to a number of emergency decrees to try and restore public order. Perón died on July 1, 1974 with the problems unresolved and was suceeded by his wife. She lost power on March 24, 1976 to a military junta.