Struggle for Democracy in Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina

ArgentinaJuan Peron Evita Peron

Ruled from 1946-1955

Positive NegativePositive Negative

• Increased Worker Wages

• Improved standard of living

• Nationalized Railroad• Reduced foreign

control of business• Helped the

Descamisados

Positive NegativePositive Negative

• Government corruption

• Threatened rich to give to poor

• Costly programs creates bankruptcy

• Restricts civil rights

• Increased husbands popularity

• Helped women gain right to vote

• Built schools and hospitals

• Supporter of women’s rights

• Used money to enrich self

• Died in 1952 at 32 years old

• Costly programs creates bankruptcy

Juan and Eva Peron

Juan Manuel

De Rosas

Julio Roca

Casa Rosada

Recoleta Cemetery

Juan and Eva Peron

The MilitaryThe “Dirty War”

• Seized Power in 1955• Killed anyone considered an enemy of the state• Arrested and tortured thousands• Ruled or controlled elected leaders• Launched the Dirty War

Argentine Junta leader Emilio Massera

Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo

• Marched in main Plaza in Buenos Aires• Held photos of missing sons and daughters• Over 30,000 people disappeared

The Falkland Island War - 1982

• Controlled by British since 1830• Claimed to own the islands known as

Las Malvinas• Launched war to regain the Falklands• Military lost power due to defeat• Permitted free elections

Raul Alfonsin

• First elected President in 40 years• Restored Democracy• Prosecuted army leaders who

committed murders• Worked to rebuild economy and

stabilize democracy• Suffers from debt and inflation

Has Argentina developed a stable democracy?Has Argentina developed a stable democracy?

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Pope Francis