Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Peróns and Argentina
In 1946 the election of Juan Domingo Perón as president
revolutionized Argentina. Via a populist movement that
became known as Peronism, Perón empowered the urban poor
and working-class masses by addressing their plight and offering
them political participation. He and his charismatic wife Eva
Perón, called Evita by supporters, became icons by lifting millions
out of misery. In doing so they created a popular power base from
which they transformed Argentina: building an authoritarian state
able to intervene in all aspects of Argentinian life. The social elite
branded the regime totalitarian and Perón a demagogue.
Eva Duarte with Juan Perón
in 1945
Juan Perón's first
presidential campaign
took place in 1946,
after he served as Labor
Minister in the military
dictatorship of the early
1940s. Eva Duarte,
affectio nately called
Evita (little Eva), a
famous radio actress
whose humble origins
gained her popularity
with the Argentinian
people, played a key
role in his victory.
By becoming the
champion
of the
poorer classes or, as
she called them, the
descamisados
(shirtless
ones), and working to
provide them with
housing, food, and
education via her
social-welfare foun-
dation, Evita trans-
formed her celebrity
status to adulated,
saintlike savior.
Addressing the crowd at
Plaza de Mayo
Central to the Peróns' huge populist
appeal was their ability to communicate
with audiences. Enormous rallies - some
numbering 350,000 - were held in Plaza
de Mayo in Buenos Aires in which both
Juan Perón and Evita would speak
directly to the thronging crowds from
the balcony of the presidential palace.
Eva Perón in Madrid
1946
Perón elected
president and launches five-
year economic plan
1947
Evita embarks on
European Rainbow Tour;
she wins Argentinian
women the right to vote
1949
Peronists remove constitutional
ban on presidential re-election
1946
1948
1950
1948
Eva Perón Foundation
established for the poor
and homeless
Evita marking the fourth
anniversary of Perón's
government
Juan Perón taking
the presidential oath
